advertisement

Australia World Cup preparations off to bad start in Norway

OSLO, Norway (AP) - Bert van Marwijk's stint in charge of Australia got off to a bad start Friday as his side squandered a lead and lost 4-1 to Norway, a team that failed to qualify for the World Cup.

Van Marwijk, who was appointed coach in January specifically for the tournament in Russia, was hopeful when his team took a 19th-minute lead through midfielder Jackson Irvine.

But Los Angeles Galaxy forward Ola Kamara claimed the first goal of his hat trick a quarter of an hour later, before Tore Reginiussen put the home side ahead early in the second half. Kamara grabbed his second then completed the scoring in injury time.

Norway finished ahead of only Azerbaijan and minnow San Marino in European qualifying group C, while Australia qualified with an intercontinental playoff win over Honduras under Ange Postecoglou.

Postecoglou quit shortly afterward, and Dutch coach Van Marwijk was appointed two months later. Graham Arnold is set to take over after the World Cup.

Tore Reginiussen of Norway, top centre, heads in Norway's second goal with Australia's Jackson Irvine, right, and Mile Jedinak, left, in action during their friendly soccer match, in Oslo, Norway, Friday March 23, 2018. (Cornelius Poppe/NTB scanpix via AP) The Associated Press
Stefan Johansen of Norway, right, and Aziz Behich of Australia, in action during their friendly soccer match, in Oslo, Norway, Friday March 23, 2018. (Cornelius Poppe/NTB scanpix via AP) The Associated Press
Jackson Irvine of Australia scores the first goal of their friendly soccer match against Norway, in Oslo, Norway, Friday March 23, 2018. (Cornelius Poppe/NTB scanpix via AP) The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.