Video
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 November 2022 | 7:45 pm | Men's Senior | 2022/23 |
Match Report
Omoijuanfo strikes at the death to seal Norwegian win
A late goal by Ohi Omoijuanfo saw Norway defeat the Republic of Ireland 2-1 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin tonight.
Martin Odegaard crossed to Leo Ostigard who caught John Egan off guard and headed home just before the break to give the away side the lead.
A much better second half from the hosts was rewarded though as Alan Browne equalised with 20 minutes to go.
Norway pounced late however, substitute Omoijuanfo was at the end of a breaking ball off another Odegaard free kick to smash past Gavin Bazunu.
This was ultimately a disappointing result for the Republic of Ireland who felt they should’ve come out with at least a draw in this game but failure to deal with set pieces was what cost them in the end.
Ireland dominated the ball in the opening ten minutes of the match but there was not much by way of chances with Callum Robinson and Mohamed Elyounoussi both shooting from range but no trouble to either keeper. Kenny’s side looked to play down the left to Callum O’Dowda who was hugging the touchline from the off and finding some joy in gaining possession.
Jorgen Stand Larsen’s right-footed shot grazed the top of the bar on the 25th minute mark after sloppy Ireland play saw an unforced turnover giving Odegaard time and space to pick out the Celta Vigo striker. The away side's first chance of the match.
Coming into the half hour mark Ireland had 64% of the ball but the vast majority in the middle third as they had one touch in the Norwegian box, with their opponents starting to press them backwards and come into the game.
Just before half time Norway took the lead. A freekick from Odegaard was not dealt with by the Irish defence which fell to Elyounoussi who saw his shot blocked out for a corner. The Arsenal captain Odegaard found his target this time however as Leo Ostigard rose highest to head home giving the away side a lead going into the break, the first shot on target of the game. A first ever International goal for the Napoli defender.
Ireland started the second half brightly. Some much needed momentum was gained after Robinson crossed to Egan who unfortunately did not know much about it as the shot trickled past the post.
The crowd came to life with them for the first time and the players fed off this. Alan Browne had Ireland’s first and second shot on target, a close range shot saved well by Örjan Nyland and a header caught comfortably shortly after.
Just before the hour mark Bazunu was forced into his first big save of the game, some great linkup play from Norway saw Odegaard get in behind the defence and the Arsenal man was frustrated he couldn't find the far corner.
Ireland were rewarded for an excellent second half just before the 70 minute mark. Alan Browne picked up the ball 20 yards out off a Norwegian defensive header and obeyed the chants of shoot from the Lansdowne Road end, striking beautifully off his right foot past Nyland into the bottom corner.
Ogbene and Brady were introduced shortly afterwards as the Irish looked to get a late winner. Callum Robinson who looked lively coming in off the left in the second half had an effort saved by Nyland which he should’ve done better with.
The majority of the 41120 crowd were disappointed with just five to go as Norway struck what would prove to be a late winner. Another deep free kick from Odegaard was not dealt with well by the back line, a regular occurrence on the night. with substitute Ohi Omoijuanfo smashing the bouncing loose ball past Bazunu.
One positive to take away for Ireland was seeing the introduction of Brighton striker Evan Ferguson to the senior fold for the first time who replaced Browne with just a few minutes to go.
Timeline
Past Meetings
 
(European Championships Qualifying)
1 - 1U17 International
Sarpsborg Stadium Norway v Ireland |
|
(International Friendly)
2 - 1U16 International
Norway v Ireland |
|
(International Friendly)
0 - 3U16 International
Campo Polop Norway v Ireland |
|
(Qualifying Round)
2 - 1WU17 International
Sande Stadion Ireland v Norway |
1 - 2WU19 International
Cidade do Futebol Ireland v Norway |
1 - 0Women's World Cup Qualification
Norway v Republic of Ireland |
0 - 2Women's World Cup Qualification
Tallaght Stadium Republic of Ireland v Norway |
Ground
| Aviva Stadium |
|---|
| Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Pembroke West A ED, Dublin, Dublin 4, Leinster, D04 FP65, Ireland |
Samuel Mansfield
26-year-old TV, Radio, and New Media graduate from MTU Kerry based in the Kingdom with a passion for a variety of sports.
Full-time, Ireland defeated 2-1 by Norway.
Four minutes added on as we trickle past the 90 mark.
Evan Ferguson is on for his debut, replacing Alan Browne.
Ohi Omoijuanfo was at the end of a breaking ball to strike low and hard past Bazunu.
Norway take the lead once more.
Molumby has been replaced by Hendrick.
10 to go at the Aviva, Ireland with possession.
Robinson comes in off the left to force Nyland into another save. Ireland with momentum going into the final 15.
Brady and Ogbene are on for Ireland, can they fashion a late winner?
Alan Browne smashed the ball low and hard from outside the area finding the bottom corner, a peach of an effort!
GOAL FOR IRELAND! ALAN BROWNE!
Melin and Ryerson into the game now for Norway.
Norway make a change. Solbakken is withdrawn for Zachariassen.
ROI really coming alive now, O'Dowda's headed effort is straight at the keeper coming in at the back post.
Bazunu is forced into his first big save of the game, some great linkup play from Norway left Odegaard in and the Arsenal man is frustrated he cannot find the far corner.
Alan Browne has his close range effort blocked by Nyland, and a header safely caught by Hyland shortly after. Ireland springing into life finally!
Ireland turning up the heat now as the stadium roars for the first time. Obafemi's shot was deflected just past the post.
Robinson played a left-footed cross into the box which hit Egan and went just wide, the Kerryman born in Cork didn't know too much about it though. Best chance so far for the hosts.
Callum Robinson takes a free on the 22-metre line (which is just about visible from the Autumn Internationals) but it deflects off the wall for a corner. Ireland didn't create anything from that.
Teams are back out and the second half is about to get underway. No changes to report it seems.
No additional time at the end of the half. Norway lead 1-0.
A peach of a corner from Odegaard found Ostigard who was unmarked to head past Bazunu.
Norway take the lead!
O'Dowda lucky to escape a yellow for a pullback on Pedersen. On his final warning now.
Norway in their brief stints of possession also struggling to create anything with Odegaard coming deep to get on the ball. They look most dangerous of Irish turnovers from good pressing.
Elyounoussi broke into the box off a great through ball by Berg but Cullen defended well in a dangerous situation.
For their 64% ball possession so far, I do not remember Ireland having more than one touch in the box.
Odegaard swings a left-footed free kick into the box which seemed to catch Bazunu off guard as it hit him but Norway failed to capitalise.
Strand Larsen grazed the bar off a bad turnover by the Irish defence.
Norway work it well to Patrick Berg who has an effort sail over but he was unmarked 12 yards out.
Norway with their first good spell of the game have won their first corner.
Ireland continue their heavy domination of possession. As soon as Norway win it back Kenny's side are pressing to great effect to retake the ball.
In all truth, the first 15 minutes of this fixture have been deserving of the term 'Friendly'.
O'Dowda swung a dangerous ball in but Norway dealt with the pressure.
Ireland win a corner just coming up to the 10 minute mark.
Elyounoussi does the same as Robinson prior to the cheers from the Landsdowne Road end.
Callum Robinson with the first effort of the game from range but does not trouble Nyland.
Ireland controlling the play from the off but playing mainly in front of the Norweigans so far.
Underway at the Aviva!
The stadium is filling very quickly now that the teams are on the way out! Can't blame them for staying in the concourse though, it's baltic.
The light show is underway and the teams are about to take to the Aviva. T-Minus 10 mins to kick-off.
Team news is in, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard starts for the away side, meanwhile, Kenny has chosen Obafemi and Robinson up top for Ireland.
Welcome to a cold but dry Aviva Stadium in Dublin as we are set for Ireland v Norway in an internationally friendly.