All Whites claim encouraging draw with Norway
- harrisonryburn18
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
The All Whites have taken another postive step forward towards next year's FIFA World Cup, holding Norway to a 1-1 draw at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo.
Finn Surman put New Zealand ahead just moments before the break, but Norway levelled around the hour mark, in a match that both teams had chances to win.
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Whilst the result extends the All Whites' winless run against European opposition to 15 years (since a 1-0 win over Serbia in 2010), it ended a four-match losing streak, and Norway's tremendous 9-game winning run.
Looking to improve their proficiency in front of goal after a 0-1 defeat to Poland last week, New Zealand had the ball in the back of the net early on through Marko Stamenic. The midfielder thought he'd scored from a free kick delivery that pinballed around the penalty box, only to have the goal ruled out for offside in the build-up.
Norway grew into the game as it went on, and began to dictate proceedings with around 65% of the possession across the contest. It took a fine one-handed stop from Alex Paulsen to keep Andreas Schjelderup out.
The All Whites did get the breakthrough in first half injury-time though. Francis De Vries lifted a free kick delivery into the box, which Michael Boxall headed across goal. It fell for Finn Surman to turn into the back of the net at the far post, giving New Zealand the half-time lead with his second international goal.
Making history by equalling Ivan Vicelich as New Zealand's record joint men's national team appearance holder, Chris Wood missed two big chances to start the second half. First he rattled the crossbar on his left foot, before nodding the ball wide of the left post from close range.
The All Whites were left to rue those chances when Norway found the equaliser in the 63rd minute through substitute Antonio Nusa. He curled the ball into the top-right corner of the net on his right foot after recieving the ball inside the box.
Bazeley's men had one last chance to win it with ten minutes to go, but Old saw his diving header palmed away by Orjan Nyland from close range.
The All Whites now have just two international windows before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They are back in action in November with international friendlies against Colombia and Ecuador in the United States.
Norway: 1 (Antonio Nusa 63')
New Zealand: 1 ( Finn Surman 45+1')
HT: 0-1