OSLO--The Netherlands was forced to come from behind to draw 1-1 with Norway in a World Cup qualifier in Oslo on Wednesday, an inauspicious start for new coach Louis van Gaal.
Erling Haaland put the Norwegians ahead after 20 minutes but Davy Klaassen equalised 17 minutes later to earn the Dutch a share of the spoils in an untidy Group G clash at the Ullevaal Stadium.
The result left the Netherlands, who have seven points from four matches, behind Turkey in the standings.
Unbeaten Turkey, held to a last-second 2-2 draw by Montenegro on Wednesday, moved on to eight points while Norway are on seven but behind the Netherlands on goal difference.
The game marked the return of Van Gaal as national team head coach and he decided to line up with a 4-3-3. Justin Bijlow was handed his debut in goal, while Cody Gakpo made his first start for “Oranje” on the left-wing.
The Netherlands opened the game with plenty of possession but the first big chance fell to Norway when Borussia Dortmund star Haaland was played in on goal, but his shot was well saved by Bijlow.
In the 20th minute, Norway took the lead with a ball over the top finding an onside Haaland and he slotted the ball past Bijlow. The Dutch wanted an offside but the striker was being left onside by Gakpo.
The Netherlands found the equaliser in the 36th minute as Georginio Wijnaldum set up Klaassen to find the net. It was a goal on the midfielder’s 25th cap for his country.
At the break, Van Gaal decided to make a change with Steven Berghuis replaced by Donyell Malen. The first chance after the break fell to Oranje, but Virgil van Dijk headed straight at the Norwegian goalkeeper.
In the 65th minute, Haaland almost restored Norway’s lead but his strike came back off the woodwork.
Netherlands had plenty of possession but did not threaten a winning goal until the last second when substitute Denzel Dumfries almost bundled the ball into the net from close range.
The draw started Van Gaal’s third era in charge of the Dutch, who now need to win their next two games against Montenegro and Turkey to take control of the group.
