Slovakia undone by Moldskred
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
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Slovakia 0-1 Norway
The hosts' Marek Sapara said Slovakia had to be "more effective" going forward after Morten Moldskred scored the only goal of the game in Zilina.
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Slovakia 0-1 Norway
Norway earned a third successive 1-0 victory against a side with a place in the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals as Morten Moldskred's goal downed Slovakia.
Following similar wins against Switzerland and hosts South Africa, Rosenborg BK midfielder Moldskred scored the only goal in Zilina with 23 minutes remaining after goalkeeper Ján Mucha could only push substitute Erik Huseklepp's shot into his path. Egil Olsen's men might have scored more, but Everton-bound Legia Warszawa goalkeeper Mucha showed his class.
Without injured Liverpool FC defender Martin Škrtel and VfL Bochum 1848's Stanislav Šesták, their top scorer in World Cup qualifying, Slovakia made a cautious start, with their best chance coming two minutes before the break. Marek Sapara – a former Rosenborg player – hit the post, while Zdeno Štrba's header was saved by Norway goalkeeper Jon Knudsen.
At the other end, Fulham FC defender Brede Hangeland hit the woodwork direct from a corner. Sapara, one of Slovakia's better performers, said: "We have to be more effective, but against a good Norway defence it was hard." They will look to improve as they take on Cameroon in their next friendly in Klagenfurt, Austria, on 29 May.
