Liege, Belgium, June 18 - Yugoslavia beat Norway
1-0 on Sunday, a goal from Savo Milosevic taking them to the top
of Group C with one game left to play.
The Yugoslavia coach Vujadin Boskov had made
five changes to the side that earned a point
after being 3-0 down to Slovenia, while Norway,
with the exception of their injured skipper Berg, were unchanged from the
surprise 1-0 victory over Spain.
The Yugoslavs
had the better of the early exchanges, with
Vladimir Jugovic rifling a shot just over. The
men in blue took the lead after seven minutes
when Ljubinko Drulovic curled in a left-footed
free-kick from the right edge of the area and
Real Zaragoza's Savo Milosevic deflected in his
third goal of EURO 2000.
Shortly afterwards Flo, helping out in defence, got in the way of
a Drulovic piledriver as Yugoslavia threatened to take control, although Flo
might have equalised from Mykland's pass but for Ivica Kralj's
spectacular fingertip save. At the other end Predrag Mijatovic took too long
over a chance set up by Drulovic and Milosevic and Bragstad
blocked the shot. But Mijatovic did much better when he turned inside
Bragstad on the edge of the area and fired left-footed, only for Myhre to tip the ball over the bar at full stretch.
A Jugovic shot and a Mijatovic free-kick, both saved by Myhre, marked the
start of the second half for Yugoslavia while Bakke headed just over
for Norway before Milosevic had a penalty claim against Eggen turned
down. Norway's renowned long-ball tactics were not working
despite the introduction of the gigantic Rosenborg striker Carew.
Yugoslav striker Mateja Kezman was sent off in the 88th
minute for a reckless tackle, just one minute after going on as
substitute.
Norway might have equalised in the last minute when
substitute striker John Carew was put through by a pass by Solskjaer but he sidefooted narrowly wide.
Yugoslavia played some delightful football, especially in the first half. Captain Dragan Stojkovic was a constant danger, while Predrag Mijatovic and Vladimir Jugovic were also combining well, driving their side forward with sharp passing and movement.
Yugoslavia's win means a draw with Spain in their last match
will ensure qualification for the quarter-finals.
 | AFTER THE MATCH |
"Our victory was earned. After the goal of Savo Milosevic, we had 3 to 4 good opportunities to hit the cords of the opposing team. We showed the enviable technique" (Vujadin Boskov, Yugoslavia's coach).
"Naturally, I am very happy, two matches in the European championship and three goals…We had several very obvious chances, but what is most important is that we received great self-confidence"(Savo Milosevic).
"This is the recipe for playing against the Spanish. We showed we can do much and we would be happy and satisfied even after the next match, if we repeat tonight's playing"(Ljubinko Drulovic).
"Against Norway we seemed a harmonious family for all 90 minutes…The Norwegians are very aggressive in attack, merciless in duels and it is necessary to be careful all the time in order not to make mistake. We did it this time"(Goran Djorovic).
"One can see only now how we miss the two points from the match with Slovenia. If we had played that match properly, we would celebrate entering the quarter-finals now"(Slavisa Jokanovic).
"There is no doubt we have a high-quality team, and now we have shown that we can win even the fantastically belligerent opponent as Norway if we play belligerently and devotedly for all 90 minutes" (Vladimir Jugovic).
"I agree that it was a foul, but I am sure it was not for red but for yellow card. I feel bad, but nevertheless we have won and I now can celebrate with my friends"(Mateja Kezman).
| STATISTICS |
