Courtesy: FAI.ie


Ireland defeated by Norway in last 15 seconds

Wednesday, 31 March 2010

Norway will return home from their first international futsal experience with their heads held high after they beat the Republic of Ireland in both games of the double header friendlies. Norway won tonight's game 2-1, but had to fend off a brave Irish performance in the National Basketball Arena.

Norway started the first half strongly. They dominated possession and after a few missed chances they got a well deserved goal with just 1 minute on the clock.

Ireland slowly got into the game, but when they did, they really put the pressure on. Ireland's Craig Duggan was no stranger in front of the goal but he could only watch as his superb efforts were stopped by Kenneth Rakvaag in the Norwegian goal.

Through a series of counter attacks, Norway's Christopher Dahl was unlucky not score after he hit the bar and the post in consecutive attacks.

The half finished off with Ireland camped down at the Norwegian end. And Ross Zambra was unfortunate not to finish the best worked move of the match when Jack Doyle laid him up with a skilful back heel.

The second half began slowly with both sides failing to put pressure on the goalkeepers. Norway's Havard Hebre came closest but could only watch as his shot shattered the post with 2 minutes gone in the half.

Tensions began to rise in what proved to be a hotly contested match. Jack Doyle and Craig Duggan both earned themselves yellow cards for mistimed tackles.

With 18 minutes gone, Ireland finally got a well earned equaliser as last night's man of the match, goalkeeper, John Somers gave a long pass to Mark Langtry who finished well. However, Norway struck back seconds later after a well worked move ended with captain Thomas Sether tapping in the winner with 15 seconds to go.

Disappointed with the result, captain and goal scorer Mark Langtry said, "We played better than last night, but again, we just failed to put our chances away."

However he commended the Norwegian performance saying, " They were the stronger team tonight and they were able to hold the ball for longer."


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

Referees:
First Referee; Simon Rogers
Second Referee; Eamonn Connolly
Third Referee; Rob Rogers


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