By Chris O'Brien
May 28 2004

Four Cardiff City players were in action as Wales drew 0-0 with Norway at Oslo's Ullevaal Stadium. The result is a creditable one for Wales, especially with Mark Hughes being forced into fielding such an inexperienced side against the Scandinavians.

A makeshift Wales side which included 4 Cardiff City players drew 0-0 with Norway, ending the winning run of the Scandinavians with the draw maintaining both sides unbeaten record during 2004. Daniel Gabbidon, James Collins, Paul Parry and Robert Earnshaw all started the game for the Welsh.

Collins and Gabbidon looked very composed together at the heart of the Welsh defence, and Collins made a very satisfactory debut. Paul Parry, later substituted, was lively down the left flank and had Wales' best chance, a close range shot which was cleared off the line. Robert Earnahaw was also brought off towards the end, having had one decent opportunity in the first period, but the Zambian-born forward was the least inspiring of the City players involved.

The game was a typical friendly, but Mark Hughes can take a lot of heart from the way his inexperienced side earned a credible draw. Norway, who included Henning Berg in their starting line-up who picked up his centenary of caps, should have been ahead at the break but for poor finishing. However, Wales were the better side in the second-half and many players put forward cases to be included regularly in the starting line-up.

Next up for Wales is a home friendly against the Canadians. The game is being played at Wrexham's Racecourse, with the North hosting international football for the first time in 5 years, which Switzerland beat Wales in a World Cup qualifier infront of a crowd of just over 5,000. Mark Hughes will take a much more confident side to the Second Division ground than he did that day, and Wales will start firm favourites against the North Americans.

Full Time - Norway 0-0 Wales
Attendance - 14,137

Norway: Myhre, Basma, Henning Berg (Lundekvam 17), Helstad (Solli 62), Andresen, Hoseth, Ronny Johnsen (Andersen 88), Pedersen, Riise, Solskjaer (Tore Andre Flo 61), Saeternes (Lange 46).

Wales: Coyne, Delaney, Collins, Gabbidon, Thatcher, Robinson (Edwards 75), Fletcher, Oster (Barnard 90), Parry (Gareth Roberts 71), Earnshaw, Bellamy (Llewellyn 85).