Norway make winning start
By Fred Magee at Mourneview Park

Monday, 18 July 2005

Norway made a solid start to the UEFA European
Under-19 Championship as goals in each half from Karim
Aoudia and Vidar Nisja earned a 2-0 win against
Armenia in Lurgan.

Goal in each half
Armenia, appearing in their first finals tournament at
any level, began brightly but fell behind to Aoudia’s
clever finish midway through the first half. The goal
put Norway in control, and victory was assured with 21
minutes left as Nisja doubled the advantage, ensuring
Norway’s first success in a finals match since their
2-1 triumph against Liechtenstein exactly two years
ago.

Early opportunities
Despite the result, Armenia actually started the
better and might have taken the lead in the fifth
minute, but AFC Ajax forward Edgar Manucharyan shot
wide from a promising position. Two minutes later, in
Norway’s first real attack, Armenia goalkeeper Edel
Bete was forced to punch clear following a corner.

Bete beaten
Norway continued to show more aggression and gained
the upper hand, before going ahead in the 21st minute.
Aoudia found himself with only Bete to beat, and put
the ball into the far corner of the net with a clever
lob that evaded the outstretched hands of the
goalkeeper.

Norway on top
Armenia searched for a way back into the contest, but
the goal visibly settled their Scandinavian opponents
who dominated in the lead-up to half-time. The pattern
continued in the second period, with Norway dictating
the pace of the game while Armenia passed the ball
well but struggled to threaten the well-organised
Norwegian back line.

Fierce second
Aleksandr Petrosyan created a half-chance as he
dribbled past two players only to shoot straight at
goalkeeper Joachim Heier, while at the other end
Aoudia posed a regular threat. The result was
effectively sealed in the 69th minute, Nisja making it
2-0 with a fierce shot. Norway ended the match in
complete command, with only Petrosyan’s free-kick
causing Heier any problems, and celebrated with their
small band of supporters at the final whistle.

Norwegian advantage
With France and England drawing 1-1 in today’s other
Group B game, Norway are the early leaders in the
section ahead of Wednesday’s fixtures, when they play
the French at Windsor Park as Armenia meet England in
Ballymena.