More misery for Wales' youngsters

Wales Under-21s have not won in four years

Norway U-21s 2-0 Wales U-21s

Wales' youngsters must be praying for the end of their European Championship qualifying campaign.

They suffered yet another defeat in Norway, extending their miserable run to 23 games without a win.

They and have collected just one point from nine group games.

Outplayed in the first half, and with keeper David Walsh carried off, they at least showed commendable spirit and fight after the break.

They managed to pick up four of the six bookings in a poorly controlled contest, but even that effort couldn't produce a goal.

Said manager Jimmy Shoulder: "I was very pleased with the second-half display.

"I never felt that we would be on the wrong end of an embarrassing defeat, I believe there is steel and resolve in this bunch of very young players, and they showed that in the second half.

  Group 8 table

Ukraine W6 D1 L2 19pts

Norway W6 D0 L3 18pts

Poland W4 D3 L2 15pts

Belarus W4 D1 L4 13pts

Armenia W3 D2 L4 11pts

Wales W0 D1 L8 1pt

Wales were behind after just three minutes when danger man Christer George had broken through, only to see Walsh make a brave block at his feet.

The ball ran loose but was clipped back into the six-yard box where Trond Ludvigsen pushed it towards an unguarded net.

Two defenders seemed transfixed and although Walsh hurled himself back to claw the ball away, the assistant referee signalled it had crossed the line.

Control

Wales were under pressure from all angles, and their only reasonable chance of the half was a 20 yarder from Ryan Valentine, held by Espen Johnsen.

But Norway came forward with pace and skill. An angled drive from an unmarked Ludvigsen tipped over by Walsh, followed by a header from the same player, planted wide of the far post, underlining their superiority.

Norway caused chaos down each flank.

Ludvigsen got vast amounts of space to attack Michael Price while on the left, Espen Sogard gave Ian Hillier a tough evening.

Walsh had to rush out again to throw himself at Espen Hoff's feet, with Hillier also in the resulting collision.

It ended with the Wrexham keeper being carried off with what were later diagnosed as bruised ribs.

Swansea's Jason Jones came on to win his third cap when Walsh was injured in a collision with Hillier.

Battle

But with the sort of problems this side have had to endure, losing their on-form goalkeeper was a last thing they needed.

To their credit, Wales hit back with spirit and a Stuart Roberts cross was headed behind by Thomas before Ryan Valentine and Magne Hoset were booked for a flare up.

But in the second minute of first half added time, Hoff set up George to drill home the second for Norway, Jones getting a hand to the ball but being unable to stop it finding the net.

Thomas was replaced by Kevin Gall and Josh Low took over from Valentine on 72 minutes.

Low's cross-shot flashed inches wide of the far post but Norway's goal remained unbreached.

Michael Price and Stuart Thomas were both booked late on and Wales continued to battle, but with little reward.

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Norway U21: Johnsen, Holm, Hangeland, Kah, Hanstveit, Ludvigsen, Sogard, Bolseth, Hoff, Hoseth, George.
Subs: Kristiansen, Steinsland, Rastad, Knarvik, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Stadheim, Odegard.

Wales U21: Walsh, Hillier, Price, Gabbidon, Day, Valentine, Roberts, Gibson, James Thomas, Stephen Thomas, Maxwell.
Subs: Low, DeVulgt, Phillips, Gall, Easter, Jason Jones.

Referee: D Delevic (Yugoslavia)