Martin annoyed: – I am looking for opportunity, but can not find it – Dagbladet.no

• Norway U21 – England U21 0-1 (0-1)

DRAMMEN (Dagbladet): Martin Ødegaard (16) was Monday night back at his old home, Marienlyst in Drammen, then U21- National Team met England in the European Championship qualifiers. Ødegaard got as usual highest acclaim, and was clearly eager to play.

Real Madrid Castilla player did not let a single minute against Bulgaria and Croatia. U21 coach Leif Gunnar Smerud therefore chose to use him in tonight.

Unfortunately for Norway won England 1-0. Goal came on a penalty just before the break.

Good match

– I think we played a good match. We controlled much of the game in the first place. I also think that we raised us in the second half and would have the ball. It is a pity that it ended like it when we play a good game, says Ødegaard.

– And your own efforts?

– I think I played a decent match . There were a few times where I’m looking for the ability to shoot and not find it. It’s annoying.

He continues:

– I searched many times to find an opening. There are things I want to develop – to have the property where I can just knock off.

Norway has played two matches of the qualification that is about ticket to the European Championship finals in Poland in 2017. In the first match against Bosnia and Herzegovina Norway won 2-0. Also Kazakhstan and Switzerland are in the group.

Two cut chances

Norway started best at NRK. Game’s first chance came after 19 minutes. Norway rolled up. Finally ended the ball with Morten Thorsby who failed to trick the goalkeeper.

Four minutes later could Norway scored again. Vålerenga player Ghayas Zahid took the ball outside the 16-yard box and score to the crossbar.

Ødegaard played steadily warmer later in the half. He was involved in several fix combinations, much to the amusement of the crowd.

– Heia Martin! sounded among 3,750 spectators.

England took the lead just before the break. Jonas Grønner trips Nathan Redmond, believed referee and pointed at eleven misses. James Ward-Prowse was sure, and sent the guests in the lead.

More aggressive

Smerud made no changes at halftime. England seemed far with aggressive. The players had apparently been hearing some nice words of coach Gareth Southgate – with a past in the Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlebrough.

But Norway had its moments – including when Ødegaard delivered a perfect pass to Veton Berisha after 56 minutes. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford saved the powerful shot.

Berisha seemed nice and fresh, but lacked the goal.

Had Norway opportunity to equalize? Yes, absolutely. But perhaps missed made a Jo Inge Berget-type.

England could go home with three points. Martin Ødegaard stood back on the grass and was clearly disappointed.

– How was it to be back in Drammen?

– I told Iver (Fossum) that it was lovely to come back. It is a wonderful course to play on. In the second half it was dark and floodlights, so that was good, says Ødegaard, who travels back to Madrid on Tuesday.