Under-19 International
Late goal from Bergan gives Norway another victory
Centre-half Vergard Bergan was the hero for Norway at the UCD Bowl yesterday as his 84th minute goal gave the visitors their second victory over the Republic Of Ireland in the space of three days.
Norway broke the deadlock 18 minutes in, as towering front man Alexander Sorloth headed past stranded debutant Aaron Myles after Bard Finne’s thundering long-range strike had crashed off the underside of the crossbar.
Ireland’s persistence eventually paid off for the Irish after 71 minutes when substitute Sam Byrne finished calmly following an error by Norwegian netminder Ole Hermann Opheim.
In a frantic final-quarter, Norway were twice denied by the woodwork, but a thundering header by Bergan six minutes from time, following a Zymer Bytyqi corner, proved the winner in the end.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Myles; Long, McFadden, McConnell, Coyne; O’Halloran, Browne, Dimaio (Baba, 60 mins), Wixted (Finnegan, 77 mins); J Byrne; Wilkinson (S Byrne, 42 mins).