Days out from the start of the World Cup and tournament fever isn’t exactly gripping the globe like it ordinarily should.
FIFA saw to that, of course, by handing Qatar the hosting honours.
And it’s doubtful that Ireland and Norway would have injected any good time vibes into the cause for neutrals, had they secured a seat at the table.
READ MORE: Republic of Ireland v Norway player ratings as Boys in Green lose at Aviva
There was a considerable stench of ‘pre-World Cup friendly’ off this low-key encounter. And even more so when neither team had actually qualified for the World Cup.
Erling Haaland’s absence from the tournament will be keenly felt, such is his irresistible form in the Premier League.
His absence here was keenly felt too, at least among the kids in the crowd.
Stephen Kenny claimed he wanted Haaland to play as it would represent a truer test for his players going into the France game in March.
But you sense the world’s best player on current form would have inflicted serious damage on the hosts who were asleep at the wheel either side of their equaliser.
Ireland’s mini second-half revival was more like it, and Alan Browne’s tasty equaliser from distance was superbly executed. He deserved it too, as he threatened before it.
But Kenny’s Ireland still lack the guile and knowhow to see out games, or capitalise on periods of dominance.
Rather, they are becoming masters of shooting themselves in the foot and Norway's late, late winner was hardly surprising in that regard.
With Malta to come on Sunday, Kenny is using these games to fine tune for the Euro qualifiers and he spoke of wanting to hit the ground running when they roll around.
Maybe the low-key nature of a November friendly on the eve of the game’s biggest tournament contributed to their sluggishness, but Ireland were sleepwalking.
Their pass completion statistics by the break made for impressive reading with 292 of the 333 completed - or 88% accuracy if you prefer.
Just don’t let that fool you into thinking that Ireland - who also had 62% possession in that opening half - were in any way convincing with the ball.
It was dreadfully dull and uninspiring stuff. Insipid, even. There was no chemistry, no current rippling through the side. No sense of adventure.
If Ireland weren’t putting a foot on the ball and playing it backwards or sideways, they were running up blind alleys.
Michael Obafemi and Callum Robinson only got going after the break, midfield struggled to get a grip on proceedings while Ireland’s defence looked edgy.
Gavin Bazunu was found wanting with his distribution. Clipped balls to Matt Doherty were often overcooked yet Ireland persisted with that route.
From another kickout, Bazunu’s low kick out to Josh Cullen went straight to Patrick Berg and finished with Jorgen Larsen fizzing a shot narrowly over the crossbar.
Mohamed Elyounoussi - a Southampton team-mate of Bazunu’s - would have scored after jinking his way into the box only to slip as he was pulling the trigger close in.
And Nathan Collins’ interception on an Elyounoussi shot minutes later prevented a certain goal as Norway totted up the attacks.
They duly got their reward four minutes before half-time. Arsenal skipper Odegaard whipped in a corner which Napoli’s Leo Ostigard headed home.
Ostigard easily slipped John Egan’s attention and the skipper’s attempted recovery was pure desperation as the damage was already done.
But Egan almost atoned early in the second-half.
Browne was the intended target of Robinson’s cross but he couldn’t connect in the air while under pressure and it fell to Egan, but skimmed his skin and tricked wide.
But this was better from Ireland - and they kept it coming as the fans finally found their voice with the Boys in Green threatening to emerge from the shadows.
Morten Thorsby’s sliding interception at the near post denied Ireland an equaliser as Browne was ready to tap home Obafemi’s low cross.
And moments later, from a poorly cleared corner, Browne fired at goalkeeper Orjan Nyland when Jayson Molumby pumped a header back into the mixer.
Still, Norway were far from running scared and Ola Solbakken forced a good save from Bazunu who smothered another shot from the same attacker soon after.
Ireland kept up their pursuit of an equaliser. Callum O’Dowda’s back post header, from Josh Cullen’s cross, just lacked the oomph it needed to beat Nyland.
But Browne’s equaliser was top notch.
Ostigard headed away a Callum O’Dowda cross but straight to Browne who, from 25 yards, returned it with interest to the back of the net.
But familiar failings returned to haunt Ireland in the dying stages. Instead of maximising a promising situation, they went and blew it with five minutes to go.
Collins couldn’t clear an Odegaard free-kick and headed the ball off Ohi Omoijuanfo’s thigh and the substitute striker smashed the rebound home past Bazunu.
It was a desperately deflating finish to an instantly forgettable game.
READ NEXT:
Better late than never, but FAI should have called out Qatar abuses long ago
Daniel Kinahan 'taking refuge in Qatar' days before World Cup kicks off
Pete Taylor pictured with both legs in casts - after chasing 'thief' in Barcelona
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
