The Norwegian national football team (landslaget) recorded a routine victory against Macedonia in a friendly international in Oslo on Tuesday 11 June.
The team, nicknamed the “Drillos” after manager Egil “Drillo” Olsen, followed up their 1-1 draw with Albania the previous Friday by taking the lead after just nine minutes through a header from midfielder Per Ciljan Skjelbred. The Norwegians were close to a second a few more times in the first half, while they were barely tested by the Macedonians at the other end.
Macedonia, ranked 78th in the FIFA World Rankings, were livelier in the second half, hitting the post after 53 minutes. However, after defender Boban Grncharov received a red card, Norway took complete control again, eventually finding a second goal through forward Daniel Braaten, who provided a smart finish after a defence-splitting pass from Ruben Yttergård Jenssen.
Drillo himself said he was pleased by the victory, while commentators said he was likely relieved after recent disappointments. The national team’s next match will be another friendly against Sweden in August, before World Cup qualifiers pick up again with a match against Cyprus on September 6.
newsinenglish.no staff
