Norway edge valiant debutantes Equatorial Guinea

The 1995 champions Norway survived a battle with debutantes Equatorial Guinea in Group D action at the Women's World Cup here on Wednesday, winning 1-0 thanks to Emelie Haavi's late goal. The back-and-forth encounter saw Norway hit the woodwork on three occasions before Haavi's match winner in the 84th minute. The 2000 Olympic champions Norway have three points in Group D while Equatorial Guinea are empty handed despite a strong showing.
Equatorial Guinea's next game is against Australia on July 3 in Bochum while Norway face Brazil in Wolfsburg. Brazil were playing Australia later Wednesday in Moenchengladbach. "I had a feeling it would be a tough game. The main thing is that was have three points. And now we can focus on getting three more points," said Norway coach Eli Landsem.
Guinean handler Marcello Frigerio said he could see his side getting something out of their remaining two group matches on the evidence of what he saw against Norway. "Guinea is an entirely new participant and an entirely new adventure," he said. "It would have been a great success for Equatorial Guinea. We could have beaten Norway and we will have our chances against the other teams too," he added. In front of 12,928 spectators at the FIFA Women's World Cup Stadium in Augsburg, the Norwegians just missed grabbing the lead in the second minute as a clearance by the Africans landed at Haavi, but the midfielder blasted her shot off the far left upright.
Equatorial Guinea needed some time to get into the match and relied on long-range efforts, like Anonman's 40 yard blast and Jurama's attempt from just a bit closer after 17 minutes. The Africans began to dominate and Dulcia was through for a run at keeper and woman of the match Ingrid Hjelmseth but Haavi got in the way in the last second at the 20-minute mark.
Hjelmseth faced a barrage of shots - most of them of the longer distance variety - and successfully cleared them all away, though just barely on Anonman's attempt in the 22nd minute. Norway finally made a push forward after 35 minutes with Isabell Herlovsen and Madeleine Giske passing to one another before Herlovsen shot over the bar.