Thursday, August 17, 2006

Norway 1-1 Brazil

Pedersen - opened scoring for Norway

Dunga was unable to succeed where all his predecessors have failed as his debut on the Brazil bench ended in a draw with Norway.

The new head coach was hoping to lead his country to a first-ever victory over the Norwegians but watched them fall behind six minutes after the break when a Morten Gamst Pedersen free-kick evaded everybody and went straight in.

The lead lasted only 11 minutes as Daniel Carvalho marked his debut with the equaliser, while both sides came close to grabbing a winner.

The home side started the brighter, snapping into challenges and unsettling the five-time World Cup winners.

The first real chance fell midway through the half to Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, whose spectacular bicycle kick drifted narrowly wide following excellent work by John Carew.

Brazil responded and Norway goalkeeper Thomas Myhre was forced into a spectacular save when Cicinho's cross found the head of Lyon forward Fred.

After a brief hiatus when a fan carrying a Corinthians flag invaded the pitch, Brazil began to assert some control but were unable to fashion another opportunity.

Solskjaer was replaced by Steffan Iversen at half-time and Norway were ahead quickly after the restart when Pedersen's crossed free-kick curled straight in off Gomes' post.

The inspired Myhre preserved Norway's lead by stopping a close-range effort from Elano and an extraordinary free-kick by Daniel Carvalho, but the CSKA Moscow playmaker soon had his revenge with the equaliser from Fred's assist.

More heroics from Myhre kept out great strikes from Fred and Alex, but Norway could have snatched it at the death as Liverpool left-back John Arne Riise forced a terrific stop from Gomes.

Norway's next game is the Euro 2008 qualifier against Hungary on September 2, 24 hours before Brazil take on arch-rivals Argentina in London, England.

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