Norway are not among the favourites to win this 2023 World Cup tournament in Australia and New Zealand, but they do have a team that could go far, with the qualities they possess.
Experienced coach Hege Riise, once herself a World Cup winner back in 1995, do have a grand final vs. Philippines to hopefully be able to fix a win, should be more than possible.
To have stars in their squad, as they do have in Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen, both massive players in women soccer, has not helped them, Hegerberg missing the Switzerland game with a groin problem and Graham Hansen not really in her best environment.
Hansen and Hegerberg has not yet found the best of partnerships and coach Riise looks to struggle to see the best pattern to play them both, and with Graham Hansen being absent with a break from international duty a time ago.
Norway were the better team in both their opening games, but has not yet scored in the World Cup, with a draw 0-0 vs. Switzerland and of course that difficult 0-1 defeat to New Zealand in their openig game.
Embed from Getty ImagesCAROLINE GRAHAM-HANSEN
NORWAY
“Caro” as she is known, had her feelings known to the press, after being dropped from the starting line-up vs. Switzerland. She later apoligized, and coach Riise later confirmed that they will look forward and put the incident behind them s they focus on the next and very important game.
Norwegian football had their best period in the 90’s, with the mens team qualified for two World Cup’s, 94 and 98, as well as the Euro 2000. Women soccer also had a grand period, winning Euro 93 and World Cup 95, as well as being Olympic gold winners in 2000.
NFF have for long been looking at all aspects within their game. Facilities are at this point at a level far above what was reality in the past, still the sport itself, the major one in Norway, are just struggling more and more.
Former Norwegian internatinal Jan Åge Fjortoft said he did not have the answers to the problems, but he pinpointed a number of clear factors within the Norwegian national teams, when asked in the Viasat studio during the Norway – Switzerland game, as you see the struggles continue.
Philippines did shock most when they defeated New Zealand 1-0 and are on three points. Switzerland top the group on four. The key for Norway is a win vs. Philippines.
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