– It was an incredible feeling. It has been cold today, but having so many people showing up and backing us was great. This was nice, says Hegerberg to NRK.
It was really winter weather in Sandefjord, but Norway and Hegerberg did their part to warm those present.
The home team dominated from the first kick on the ball, and after 21 minutes Hegerberg scored the first of three goals.
Two of the goals came after posts from the right and left, and there could have been even more if the endings and posts had been even more precise.
National team manager Sjögren says that this is part of “new Norway”.
– Now we have a box tip in the highest class, and it requires a major adaptation. We have not had as many posts as we have today in quite some time. It is completely conscious when we have that type of player back on the team, the Swede says to NRK.
“Extreme skills”
Before the comeback, NRK expert Carl-Erik Torp, among others, called for more posts in general and especially from Caroline Graham Hansen.
Torp believes the Barcelona player must play wider in the path precisely to be able to serve more posts to Hegerberg.
On Thursday, Hansen was a constant nuisance everywhere on the field.
– We are looking at how to get the most out of both. We give “Dear” fairly free rein to get on edge to get on the ball. Also down the field. We see what she can do in these situations, says Sjögren, who points out that Hansen has «Extreme skills».
Where should Caroline Graham Hansen play for Norway?
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Only imprecise finishes and passes prevented several goal points for Hansen, who was second last on two of Hegerberg’s goals. One post from the edge, and one sticks out from the center of the field.
– This is the prototype of how I think the cooperation between them should be, Torp commented after the 1-0 goal.
Found the tone
The Hegerberg goals were the first in a national team uniform in five years, more specifically 10 April 2017.
After a disappointed European Championship a few months later, she said as is well known no to national team games.
She still quickly found herself at ease against Kosovo, which is 101 places behind Norway in the Fifa ranking (112th place).
– I think we already see a “connection” between her and the others, and perhaps above all between her and Caroline Graham Hansen. We have missed that type of player for a while, says Sjögren.
Approaching World Cup place
Hansen did most things except score – even though she got the chance from the chalk mark.
Substitute Celin Bizet Ildhusøy reacted quickly to the return and put in 5-1 just before the end.
– It was not easy to play football here today. We should have had more, says Hansen to NRK.
– I think everyone understands that we must perform better against Poland (Tuesday), she continued.
Sjögren’s team is on a steady course towards the World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
A glimmer of joy came after 55 minutes of play, when Ingrid Syrstad Engen lost the ball and gave Kosovo a reduction.
It was Norway’s first setback in seven matches in the World Cup qualifiers.
With 19 points, it still takes a lot for Norway not to run away with 1st place and the direct ticket to the World Cup.
Group two Belgium meets Albania away at the time of writing. Here, the guests lead 5-0.
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