Late goal leaves Ireland without a win

Republic of Ireland 1 Norway 2

Morten Gamst Pedersen proved the Republic of Ireland’s tormentor as Norway came from behind to snatch victory at the Aviva Stadium.

The Blackburn midfielder ruined keeper Shay Given’s record 109th appearance for Ireland by curling home a superb 34th-minute free-kick to cancel out Shane Long’s fifth-minute penalty.

But there was worse to come for Giovanni Trapattoni’s men when Pedersen provided the cross from which Erik Huseklepp scored the winner with just four minutes remaining.

Shay Given established a new Republic of Ireland record when he won his 109th senior cap against Norway this evening.

The Manchester City keeper, one of only five survivors from last month’s Euro 2012 qualifier draw in Slovakia, was handed the captain’s armband as he went one ahead of full-back Kevin Kilbane with manager Giovanni Trapattoni ringing the changes amid an injury crisis.

Darren O’Dea made his first senior international start in a back four which also included teenager Greg Cunningham, while Keith Fahey started in central midfield and Shane Long partnered Kevin Doyle in attack.

Norway boss Egil Olsen included Fulham defender Brede Hangeland, former Liverpool full-back John Arne Riise and Blackburn midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen among his starting line-up.

Norway arrived in Dublin sitting at the top of their qualifying group with a 100% record after three games and boasting a FIFA world ranking of 13, some 19 places above their hosts.

But while Trapattoni wanted to use the game to blood some of his emerging talents, he did not want to do so at the expense of a morale-boosting result ahead of the resumption of the qualifying campaign in March.

To that end, he could hardly have been more pleased with his side’s start.

Central defender John O’Shea strode over halfway with five minutes gone to pitch Long into a foot race with Norway skipper Hangeland, and when the burly defender wrestled his man to the ground, Icelandic referee Kristinn Jakobsson had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

With usual penalty taker Robbie Keane out injured, the Reading striker stepped up to fire the spot-kick low to keeper Jon Knudsen’s right and into the bottom corner to get the Irish off to the perfect start.

Long’s strike partner Doyle fired high and wide two minutes later as the home side dominated, and they might have increased their lead with 12 minutes gone.

Doyle’s weighted pass allowed Liam Lawrence to drive in a low cross which Knudsen palmed out just inches away from Long, but the keeper recovered in time to kick Damien Duff’s follow-up off the line.

Fahey sent a 17th-minute volley just wide with the Norwegians struggling to stem the tide.

The visitors gradually started to work their way into the game and forced a series of corners as Riise and Pedersen began to make an impression down the left.

However, despite fielding nine of the men who started the 2-1 qualifier victory in Cyprus last month, they were unable to bring Given into play, although Riise’s long throw was proving increasingly problematical.

Olsen’s men were presented with a promising opportunity 12 minutes before the break after putting together a flowing move.

Hangeland’s pinpoint pass to Pedersen allowed him to lay the ball off for Thorstein Helstad, and Stephen Kelly handled as he attempted to halt the striker’s progress 25 yards out.

Pedersen took charge of the resulting free-kick and curled a superb left-foot shot over the defensive wall and high to Given’s right to level.

Long forced Knudsen into a hurried 40th-minute clearance as he chased down another long ball with the Irish fighting back.

Fahey was seeing plenty of the ball in the middle of the park as he attempted to prompt the men ahead of him, but with Henning Hauger protecting the Scandinavians’ back four with help from Christian Grindheim and Petter Vaagan Moen, space was at a premium.

The home side were almost caught again two minutes before the break when Helstad found half a yard inside the penalty area, but he hit his shot straight at Given.

Both managers made two changes at the break with Trapattoni handing Stoke striker Jon Walters a senior international debut in place of Doyle, while Aiden McGeady came on for Lawrence.

Olsen replaced Knudsen and Helstad with Espen Bugge Pettersen and Bjorn Helge Riise, and it was his side who were first to threaten after the restart.

Teenage left-back Greg Cunningham’s header back to Given was slightly undercooked and the keeper had to react quickly to get there before Bjorn Helge Riise.

However, it was opposite number Pettersen who was called upon within two minutes of his arrival to tip away a rasping shot from Long after he had been played in by McGeady.

The Spartak Moscow midfielder thumped a 50th-minute shot into the midriff of defender Kjetil Waehler, but the action came at the other end seconds later.

Given did well to close down striker Erik Huseklepp as he tried to lob him, but was back on his line by the time the same man fired in a stinging shot after the ball had been recycled to him.

Grindheim made way for Ruben Yttergard Jenssen, but Long continued to prosper and forced another save from Pettersen with 56 minutes gone.

Ireland were on top once again and McGeady fired just wide after the Norwegians only half-cleared a 63rd-minute free-kick to the edge of the box.

Cunningham enjoyed a rare foray into enemy territory three minutes later, cutting inside to fire in a firm shot which was well blocked.

With Kevin Foley having earlier replaced O’Dea, Stephen Hunt came on for Duff with 16 minutes remaining, his first appearance for his country since the first leg of the World Cup play-off against France 12 months ago.

Both sides were looking for a winner and the game became increasingly open and Whelan had to make an important block as John Arne Riise let fly from 25 yards two minutes later.

Kristofer Haestad took over from Moen with 78 minutes gone with the battle being fought out largely in midfield.

However, the visitors snatched victory four minutes from time when Pedersen found space down the left and crossed to the far post for Huseklepp to find the back of the net despite the exposed Given’s best efforts.