Norway struggles to revive concord forward of Philippines match in Ladies’s World Cup

FIFA Ladies’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 – Group A – New Zealand v Norway – Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand – July 20, 2023 Norway’s Ada Hegerberg, Caroline Graham Hansen and Ingrid Syrstad Engen look dejected after the match REUTERS/David Rowland

Norway’s Caroline Graham Hansen could have apologized for her outburst over being dropped by coach Hege Riise for his or her Fifa Ladies’s World Cup conflict with Switzerland on Monday, however there’s nonetheless work to do if they’re to revive concord earlier than their ultimate group recreation.

The Norwegians should beat the Philippines of their ultimate Group A recreation on Sunday to have an opportunity to progress and face the problem of balancing the Scandinavian need for a robust collective with the person brilliance of some gamers.

In her incendiary post-match feedback, 28-year-old Graham Hansen blamed the Scandinavian “Legislation Of Jante” – by no means suppose you’re higher than anybody else – for the choice to go away her on the bench for the scoreless draw with the Swiss.

The Barcelona participant apologized the following day however the issue for Riise is that a lot of Graham Hansen’s teammates sympathize with the winger even when they don’t agree along with her choice to air her grievances publicly.

“In fact you’re disenchanted to not be beginning a recreation on the World Cup. It’s solely pure that she and I might really feel that manner,” midfielder Ingrid Syrstad Engen, who was additionally dropped for the match, informed reporters on Thursday.

“I don’t know if I used to be stunned by the response (of Graham Hansen), I perceive you can be disenchanted in such a scenario … Caro has stated that it shouldn’t have come out in the way in which it did, and that it’s also about different issues.”

FILE PHOTO: FC Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen. –REUTERS/Alberto Lingria/File Photograph

Graham Hansen and Engen received the Champions League final month with Barcelona and, whereas Engen struggled because the lone defensive midfielder of their opening 1-0 loss to New Zealand, Graham Hansen is among the finest attacking gamers on the earth, making the choice to drop her all of the more unusual.

Norway’s earlier group motto of “sterkere sammen” – “stronger collectively” – is conspicuous by its absence at this World Cup, a match that’s as a lot about particular person brilliance as it’s robust group play.

Coach Riise has stated that she has forgiven Graham Hansen for her outburst, however it seems there’s nonetheless some technique to go earlier than the scenario is resolved.

“We’ve got labored by means of it and we’ll proceed to speak collectively, we haven’t had a lot time,” Riise informed reporters on Wednesday following the participant’s apology.

“We’re all the time open and receptive to an apology. She has on condition that and she is going to give the identical to the gamers. It’s accepted,” Riise added.

A method or one other, most of the gamers look like behind the winger.

“Clearly one would favor that this didn’t come out in any respect however as soon as it did I really feel we’ve solved it in a great way,” fellow winger Julie Blakstad stated.

“It’s nice of her (Graham Hansen) to do this (apologize), I feel everybody within the group appreciates it.”

RELATED STORIES

Learn Subsequent

Do not miss out on the most recent information and knowledge.