Norway's Roar Strand almost certainly booked his place in the Norwegian World Cup squad when he helped his side crush Mexico in Oslo last night. Strand, one of the few Norwegian players not to play abroad, put Norway in the lead after only 12 minutes in a near faultless display. Goals from Havard Flo, Ronnie Johnsen and Henning Berg saw Norway take a half-time lead of 4-1 and the match was all but over. Vidar Riseth scored the home side's fifth in the 75th minute, while both Mexico's goals were scored by Ricardo Pelaez.
Despite the comprehensive nature of Norway's win, coach Egil Olsen was far from satisfied by his side's performance. "We played well in the first half but eased up too much in the second," complained Olsen. "We missed too many chances and the team is far from being one of the best in the world."
Norway, who beat Denmark 2-0 a month ago, next play Saudi Arabia on May 27 in their World Cup build-up. Mexico play in Dublin against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday.
Norway (4-5-1): Grodas; Halle, Berg, Johnsen, Bjoernebye; H. Flo (Rudi, 46), Strand (Riseth, 75), Solbakken (Rekdal, 69), Mykland; Solksjaer, Oestenstad (TA Flo, 79).
Mexico (4-3-3): Sanchez; Carmona, Sanchez, Suarez, Oteo; Villa (Davino, 61), Lara, Ordiales (Bernal, 73); Chavez, Pelaez, Palencia.
Referee: Leif Sundell (Sweden).
