NORWAY: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Brazil coach Dunga reflects on his side's 1-1 draw with Norway

Norway extended their unbeaten record against Brazil to four matches when they held the five times world champions 1-1 on former captain Dunga's debut as coach on Wednesday (August 16). An inspired Norway side opened the scoring in the 51st minute with Morten Gamst Pedersen's free kick from 25 metres unexpectedly bouncing past a clutch of players and looping into the top far corner of the goal. Brazil, playing for the first time since their defeat by France in the World Cup quarter-finals, fought back with winger Daniel Carvalho firing a hard, low shot inside the near post from 15 metres after a brilliant passing move in Norway's box. The Brazilians, fielding an experimental team without Ronaldinho, Kaka or Ronaldo, started slowly and looked vulnerable to counter-attacks until they began to dominate late in the game, repeatedly penetrating Norway's patchy defence. Later Dunga complained that the Norway players were too physical, telling a news conference: "I was amazed to see that about twenty minutes into the second half it became impossible to play because the match became gradually very violent and unfortunately there were some fouls that FIFA says should be punished with a red card." Dunga had a reputation for a robust play in his days on the pitch and his accusation was rebutted by Norway coach Age Hareide, who told the media: "If Dunga says that, he should take a look at himself, how he played when he was a player. "I think some of our players are a bit too eager when they go into the tackles but there are no violent players on our side. We are competitive players and all and all it is what we expect on an international level." Brazil's goalscorer Carvalho said: "It was a friendly match that didn't feel friendly. We have to do the miraculous in one day, there is not a team in the world that has to meet, practise and play and win in only one day."

ITN Source | August 17, 2006

Tags:. .france. .until. .low. .far. .conference