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World Cup qualifying: Norway coach a relieved man [Mon Sep 5th, 2005]
Norway coach Aage Hareide was a relieved man after a last-gasp Morten Gamst Pedersen strike enabled his side to grab a crucial 3-2 win over Slovenia.
The victory put more pressure on leaders Italy, who could only manage a 1-1 draw in Scotland, at the top of the Group 5 World Cup qualifying table.
Italy remain favourites to win the group but with just three games left in qualifying, Aage Hareide's side still have a great chance to make it to the finals in Germany next year.
Hareide was pleased with the way his side responded after John Carew's second-minute strike was levelled up just a minute later by Sebastjan Cimirotic.
"We played a nice first half, where we came back after getting a slap in the face when they scored 1-1 just a minute after we scored," he told Norwegian broadcasting channel TV3.
"After the break they put a massive pressure on us, and they got their equaliser. And then Morten got that goal - just marvellous.
"We have to enjoy the three points. We could have ended up with one, possibly none at all."
PA Sport
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