Norway Ready to Make History in First Ever World Cup Quarterfinal Appearance with Relaxed but Competitive Mindset
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - Norway's World Cup quarterfinal match against England on Saturday is not being taken for granted, despite high outside expectations. The team, led by 25-year-old Erling Haaland, is making its first tournament appearance in nearly 30 years, with its best World Cup finish being the round of 16 in 1998.
Head coach Ståle Solbakken dismissed the notion that reaching the quarterfinals should be the team's minimum goal, citing the country's 28-year World Cup drought. "It's not that easy to play football on a global scale," Solbakken said, emphasizing the team's focus on taking each match as it comes.
Solbakken wants his players to concentrate on the game, rather than the surroundings or individual match-ups, such as Haaland versus England's Harry Kane. As the tournament progresses, Norway acknowledges that success is not guaranteed, and each game will be increasingly important. However, the team plans to embrace the pressure and the moment.
According to Solbakken, the players are in a "relaxed but competitive mood," striking a balance between looking forward to the game and feeling the pressure. He believes this balance is essential for optimal performance, saying, "I think they have a very good mix of looking forward to it and feeling the pressure a little bit."
Head coach Ståle Solbakken dismissed the notion that reaching the quarterfinals should be the team's minimum goal, citing the country's 28-year World Cup drought. "It's not that easy to play football on a global scale," Solbakken said, emphasizing the team's focus on taking each match as it comes.
Solbakken wants his players to concentrate on the game, rather than the surroundings or individual match-ups, such as Haaland versus England's Harry Kane. As the tournament progresses, Norway acknowledges that success is not guaranteed, and each game will be increasingly important. However, the team plans to embrace the pressure and the moment.
According to Solbakken, the players are in a "relaxed but competitive mood," striking a balance between looking forward to the game and feeling the pressure. He believes this balance is essential for optimal performance, saying, "I think they have a very good mix of looking forward to it and feeling the pressure a little bit."
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