Long shines as Ireland lose at home again
Defeat for Republic of Ireland was hardly disastrous against a Norway side 20 places above them in the FIFA world rankings, although a third loss in four at the Aviva Stadium was greeted with a few jeers.
There were several positives for the Boys in Green though, with the long-ball football that made last month's poor performances against Russia and Slovakia even more unbearable replaced with some pretty and occasionally incisive play, while Shane Long seized his opportunity to impress in Robbie Keane's absence.
The Reading striker was named man-of-the-match after a lively display in which he constantly caused Norway's defenders problems, at times bullying the significantly taller Brede Hangeland, and winning a penalty off him early on after being neatly played in by John O'Shea, which he stepped up to net.
While Greg Cunningham and Darren O'Dea were handed chances to shine after Kevin Kilbane and Richard Dunne pulled out injured, there was disappointment at manager Giovanni Trapattoni's refusal to give exciting Everton prospect Seamus Coleman a first run out.
The Republic of Ireland's showing against in-form Scandinavian opponents was decent, and in truth Erik Huseklepp's late strike came against the run of play, but there will again be concerns raised about both their inability to hold onto a lead and ending the year on a three-game winless streak that has harmed their bid to qualify for Euro 2012.
They're [5.8] to top Group B, a feat that may require victory in Russia to be achieved, yet encouragingly have five successive home matches - three of which take place in the inaugural 4 Associations' Tournament - in which they can attempt to regain the level reached in France a year ago today.
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Published: 18 Nov 2010
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