Preview Portugal vs Norway
Portugal managed to rise to the top of Group H standings Euro 2012 qualifiers after a 1-0 win over Norway, (05/06/2011) early days. They shift the Norway and Denmark into second place and third.
Norway started the fight by giving threat to the goalkeeper of Portugal. Bjorn Riise kick from outside the penalty box leads right into the goal host. Unfortunately, the ball can kick was saved by goalkeeper Eduardo.
Norway started the fight by giving threat to the goalkeeper of Portugal. Bjorn Riise kick from outside the penalty box leads right into the goal host. Unfortunately, the ball can kick was saved by goalkeeper Eduardo.
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Portugal tried to respond by Joao Moutinho and Raul Meireles. However, the efforts of both Portugal midfielder has not led the right into the target.
Entering the 10th minute, Portugal has the best chance of passing his captain, Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo's free kick that is executed is actually quite scalable and hard, but could still countered by Danish goalkeeper Rune Jarstein Almmening so that only produced a corner kick for the "Selecao das Quinas".
Portugal is really in control of the game. They were able to suppress the Norwegian players making it difficult to develop the game and only capable of occasional counterattack.
Yet it is precisely from this scheme of Norway got a golden opportunity. Counter-attack which is prepared by the players for the visitors ended directional kick from Erik Huseklepp free-standing. Luckily for Portugal, Eduardo still spry save his goal.
However, Portugal still in control. Paulo Bento these forces continue to exert pressure through Ronaldo, Luis Nani, Carlos Martins, and Meireles. However, their efforts always fail due to lack of calm and disciplined defensive performance lead by Norway's Brede Hangeland.
In the second half, Portugal did not reduce the intensity of their pressure. Even the new second-half run four minutes, Portugal was threatened by Helder Postiga kick. Luckily for Norway, Jarstein could still fail these opportunities.
Portugal hard work finally paid off in the 53rd minute. Nani's cross from the right side ended the first-time kick by Postiga. The ball rolled smoothly on the bottom left corner of goalkeeper Jarstein.
Winning one goal to make Portugal a little lower pressure. However, Norway still not able to develop their game so it is difficult to penetrate the host defense. The position was 1-0 last until the long whistle sounded ending the match marks.
The composition of players
Portugal: Eduardo, Pepe, Joao Pereira (Silvio 73), Bruno Alves, Fabio Coentrao, Carlos Martins (Ruben Micael 69), Raul Meireles, Joao Moutinho, Nani (Varela 86), Helder Postiga, Cristiano Ronaldo
Norway: Rune Almenning Jarstein, John Arne Riise, Brede Hangeland, Tom Hogli, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Henning Hauger, Christian Grindheim (Mark Henriksen 83), Vadim Demidov, Bjorn Riise, John Carew (Mohamed Abdellaoui 60), Erik Huseklepp (Daniel Braaten 75)