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| Huseklepp piles on misery |
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Portugal's difficult start to their Euro 2012 Group H qualifying campaign continued as they fell to defeat against Norway in Oslo.
They were held to a 4-4 draw with Cyprus in their opener and were unable to respond after Erik Huseklepp gave the hosts a 21st-minute lead at the Ullevaal Stadion tonight, leaving them languishing in fourth place in the pool.
But things had started promisingly for the visitors as new Liverpool signing Raul Meireles fired over the bar when well placed, while Ricardo Quaresma also went close.
But they were stunned when Huseklepp was on hand to slot home against the run of play from John Carew's composed pull-back.
The home side were dealt a double blow soon after as Aston Villa forward Carew and Kjetil Waehler were forced off with injuries and Portugal continued to threaten with Quaresma again firing over the bar.
Mohamed Abdellaoui had a great chance to extend Norway's lead in the 50th minute but he dragged his effort wide when he should have done better.
Portugal grew in desperation as they sought an equaliser and Quaresma and Manuel Fernandes were wide of the mark with ambitious long-range strikes.
Substitute Danny was another to fail to test Norway keeper Jon Knudsen, firing wildly over the bar as time began to run out.
The visitors crafted one last chance but Bruno Alves somehow managed to head wide from point-blank range in the third minute of stoppage time.
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