Norway are held to a goalless draw
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CHISINAU, Moldova (Reuters) -- Bottom team Moldova held Norway to a goalless draw in a dull Group Five World Cup qualifier played in driving snow in Chisinau on Wednesday.
The result leaves Norway clinging to second place behind Italy with eight points from five matches, level on points with Slovenia who drew 1-1 at home to Belarus.
Serghei Dadu came close to giving Moldova the lead three minutes before halftime with a free kick from the edge of the area that was saved by keeper Thomas Myhre.
As the first half ended, Norway's Erik Hagen took a pass close in from Morten Gamst Pedersen only to fire just wide.
With both sides reduced to cautious play in the inclement weather, Dadu came closest to a goal in the second half with a long drive after 62 minutes that just missed the mark.
The draw was a boost for Moldova coach Victor Pasulko as he staved off the threat of being dismissed by national federation president Pavel Ciobanu, who had expressed his discontent with only a single point from their previous four matches.
Moldova were denied the services of one of their best players when Serghei Covalciuc of Spartak Moscow suffered a knee injury in the warm-up and was replaced by Serghei Iepureanu.
Defender Alexander Kulchiy equalized to give Belarus a point in Celje.
Substitute Aleksandar Rodic, who came on in the 27th minute for injured striker Sebastjan Cimirotic, put Slovenia ahead just before halftime with a low shot from 11 meters after a cross by Fabijan Cipot.
Kulchiy hit back for Belarus three minutes after the break when he was set up by Maxim Romashchenko.
Another substitute, Ermin Siljak almost put Slovenia ahead again on 73 minutes but his strike from the edge of the area went just wide.
Slovenia came close again on 78 minutes. Rodic was brought down in the area and the referee gave them a penalty at first but then went back on his decision after consulting the linesman.
