A first-half goal by Vladimir Smicer led the Czech Republic to a 1-0 win over Norway in their World Cup qualifying play-off first leg yesterday.

Girondins Bordeaux midfielder Smicer rounded off a sweeping move by firmly heading a right-wing cross from Karel Poborsky into the back of the net after 32 minutes.

"We have to be happy, we are now a bit closer to our goal of qualifying," said 32-year-old Smicer.

The second leg is in Prague on Wednesday. Heavy rain and two cup finals the previous weekend reduced the national stadium pitch in Norway to a bog and the teams struggled to create scoring chances as the ball bobbled and players slipped and slid.

The Czechs kept Norway's player of the year and top goalscorer John Carew quiet and limited the home team to a handful of long-range shots.

Only John Arne Riise forced a save from Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech in the opening half.

Former European player of the year Pavel Nedved came out of international retirement to add a touch of class to the Czech midfield that no one in the Norway team could match.

Norway coach Age Hareide, who said before the game that it was important for his team to win at home, criticised his players after their defeat.

"They were poorer than normal and every player has to perform at a higher level than that on Wednesday," he said. "But we have to keep faith."

Hareide will have to do without midfielder Daniel Braathen in the second leg after he received his second yellow card of the competition.

Substitute Braathen came on after 46 minutes and injected zest and creativity to Norway's attack, once jinking past two Czech players and almost winning a penalty.

The World Cup begins in Munich on June 9 and features 32 teams playing a total of 64 matches at 12 venues across Germany, culminating in the final at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on July 9.

The draw will be held on December 9 in Leipzig.