WORLD CUP SOCCER ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : Today’s Games at a Glance

GROUP E at Giants Stadium, E. Rutherford, N.J.

IRELAND vs. NORWAY

* TIME: 1 p.m. PDT

* TV: ESPN (delayed, 9:30 p.m.), Univision (delayed, 9 p.m.)

* KEY MATCHUPS: This will be a lot like an English Premier League game. All but two players on the Irish roster play club soccer in England, as do nine of the Norwegians, so look for a lot of hard work, a lot of running, a lot of close defense, a lot of high passes into the penalty area and a lot of aerial challenges.

Erik Thorstvedt, the Norwegian goalkeeper, is familiar with the Irish players and has the sense, the hands and the courage to deny them. The same is true for Pat Bonner at the other end.

Norway has a slight advantage in height, forward Jan Age Fjortoft and midfielder Jostein Flo being particularly effective in the air. Ireland counters with the experience of defender Paul McGrath. Norway has a nonstop midfielder in Erik Mykland, but Ireland counters with a tough midfielder of its own in Roy Keane.

* OUTLOOK: Irish Coach Jack Charlton has been banished for this game by FIFA because of behavior in Ireland’s game against Mexico, but the Irish know what they have to do, which is tie at minimum.

John Aldridge, the Irish striker who scored a late and possibly crucial goal against Mexico, said Ireland will have to play as it did in its first game, a 1-0 victory over Italy, to stand a chance.

If Ireland plays to its strength, which is in harrying opponents, Norway could be thrown off stride.

* OUTCOME: This game has tie written all over it because that would give each team four points in the group and a probable place in the next round, especially if Italy defeats Mexico today in Washington, D.C. Prediction: 1-1, but if there’s a winner, it will be Norway by a goal.