Norway continue perfect start

Norway got off to the perfect start in Group C after making it two wins out of two in their Euro 2008 Qualifying campaign tonight.

After seeing off Hungary in their group opener, they forced their way past a resilient 10-man Moldova in Oslo on Wednesday, eventually winning 2-0.

Fredrik Stromstad was first to ease Norwegian worries with a well-taken header midway through the second half. Steffen Iversen then made the points safe 11 minutes from time with a right-footed drive from 25 yards.

Moldova had looked to be on their way to a terrific point having previously seen Victor Berco sent off immediately after the break.

But the second half got off to the worst possible start for Moldova just 45 seconds after the break with Berco seeing red for violent conduct.

They managed to hold on with 10 men until the 73rd minute.

An inswinging cross by John Carew from the right found Stromstad in the penalty area, and he was on hand to head high into the top corner of Pascenco’s goal.

Iversen made the game safe for the home side six minutes later with a finish from distance.

Hungary bounced back from that opening defeat to Norway by beating Bosnia-Herzegovina, also reduced to 10 men, 3-1 in Zenica.

Sszabolcs Huszti gave Hungary the lead before Zoltan Gera and Pal Dardai sealed the win after Emir Spahic had been dismissed following two quick cautions.

The hosts grabbed a consolation goal through Zvjezdan Misimovic’s penalty just after the hour mark.

Hungary took the lead with 36 minutes on the watch as Huszti calmly converted from the penalty spot after Sasa Papac had upended Laszlo Eger.

Bosnia were reduced to 10 men three minutes later as Spahic picked up a second yellow card for failing to retreat from a free-kick after only being cautioned moments earlier following a confrontation.

Gera extended the visitors’ lead in the first minute of the second half with a neat headed finish from inside the area.

Dardai further stretched the advantage three minutes later, rifling home from the edge of the area before Misimovic converted from the spot after Csaba Feher was adjudged to have handled to reduce the deficit.

Turkey endured a frustrating time against Malta’s defence but eventually got the goals they needed in a 2-0 win.

After somehow failing to convert one of several chances in the first half, goals from substitute Nihat Kahveci and Tumer Metin were enough for the win in Frankfurt – the match being played behind closed doors and at a neutral venue as punishment for Turkey’s part in the fracas against Switzerland in the World Cup 2006 play-offs.

Nihat was introduced at half-time and quickly made a difference for Turkey, opening the scoring 10 minutes after the restart when he got on the end of the Hakan Sukur’s cross to score from six yards.

The second goal came when Metin drilled a right-footed shot into the roof of the net in the 77thminute.