Italy tighten grip with 0-0 draw in Norway

A defensive Italy strengthened their chances of reaching the World Cup finals by drawing 0-0 with closest rivals Norway on Saturday in a qualifying game with few scoring chances.

Italy now have 13 points in European Group Five with Norway and Slovenia trailing on nine. The Norwegians are ahead on goal difference.

"We're very pleased with a draw," Italian coach Marcello Lippi said.

"It helps Italy in relation to the other results in the group today."

Slovenia, who could have cut into Italy's four-point lead, drew 1-1 with Belarus on Saturday.

"The Italians are strong in defence, we're happy to collect a point," Norwegian coach Aage Hareide said. "We were a bit too imprecise in finishing."

Inter striker Christian Vieri came close to scoring when his 20-metre half-volley in the second half looped over Norwegian goalkeeper Thomas Myhre but landed on top of the net.

Mauro Camoranesi could have made it 1-0 in the fourth minute when he broke free inside the Norwegian area. But he jabbed the ball too far forward into Myhre's arms instead of dribbling round the keeper.

Among Norway's best chances, John Carew of Turkish club Besiktas shot low from a free-kick just outside the area in the second half but the ball was smothered by Italian keeper Gianluigi Buffon.

He also turned past defender Fabio Cannavaro just after the break but shot wide from eight metres.

"We're not pleased with 0-0," he said. "We played very well today and deserved better. We should have got three points."

Norway had been seeking to avenge a 2-1 qualifying loss away to Italy last September - their only defeat in 21 games under Hareide.

Lippi denied the Italians had sometimes been uninspired. "There was a lot of good work by the Italian team. They played with enthusiasm," he said.

Hareide feels Norway still have a chance of winning the group as Italy could have a hard time in away games against Scotland and Belarus.