Courtesy: FAI


Ireland Futsal lose to Norway in close encounter

Tuesday, 30 March 2010

In a friendly that ended 2-1, Ireland Futsal lost out to a determined Norwegian side in the National Basketball Arena Tallaght.

The Norwegians got the match underway and were on top of possession in the early stages but a resilient Irish defence stopped them from capitalising on goal. Shots from Erik Jonvik and a shot that rattled the crossbar by Morten Ravlo were early chances from Norway that failed to materialise.

However, Norway secured an early goal in the 6th minute as a result of a quick counterattack with Tresor Egholm setting up Christoffer Dahl for a well placed shot that narrowly slipped past Irish keeper.

Ireland recovered well and had a great opportunity when Byrne hit the post after a great pass from Massey. Norway secured another goal with two minutes left in the first half with Erik Jonvik tapping it in after a superb save by John Somers.

Ireland came out after the break with a new attitude and Mark Langtry immediately fired a shot that narrowly went over the bar.

In the 6th minute Ireland had a great chance with Ian Byrne setting up Jack Doyle for a great chance the Irish side failed to convert. The game lost some discipline with fouls from both sides interrupting the run of play and Norway exploited this unrest with a well taken free kick that was first cleared off the line by Jack Doyle followed up by a sterling save from John Somers.

Ireland won a free in the 14th minute and Tony Kane scored a superb free kick. Ireland applied the pressure with less than a minute to go but Norway held on to possession to close out the game.

Speaking after the match manager Derek O' Neill said, "I was disappointed with our first half performance, it was one of the worst we've ever played. We created more chances than Norway in the second half but failed to capitalise. We will be looking to improve our finishing tomorrow."

Ireland will play Norway again tomorrow night (Wednesday, 8pm) in the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.

Republic of Ireland: John Somers , Thomas Cullen, Mark Langtry, Ross Zambra, Ian Byrne, Craig Duggan, Phillip McDonagh, Tony Kane, Alan McCabe, Cian McDonald, Alan Lynch, Stephen Murphy, Jack Doyle, Lloyd Massey

Norway: Magnar Nordtun, Kenneth Rakvaag, Jan Are Klaussen, Morten Ravlo, Fredrik Høgås, Tresor Egholm, Erik Jonvik, Thomas Sæther, Cato Valøy, Christoffer Dahl, Marius Folgerø, Mounir El-Masrouri, Henrik Arnesen, Stian Johnsen, Stian Kristoffersen, Håvard Hegre

OFFICIALS
First Referee Rob Rogers, FIFA Futsal Referee Dublin
Second Referee Dermot Broughton, Limerick
Third Referee Paul Duddy, Donegal
Time Keeper Mark Whelan, Dublin


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com