- Aisling Hannon
- Tue, Jul 25 2023
Norway are fighting to stay in the Women’s World Cup following a lacklustre 0-0 draw with Switzerland at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Tuesday.
The result sees Switzerland go into the final round with confidence as they sit top of Group A with four points, while Norway sit bottom behind New Zealand and the Philippines with one.
The Swiss won their opening group game by claiming a 2-0 win over the Philippines but, despite being the highest-ranked side in the group, Norway were left in shock following a 1-0 defeat to New Zealand.
Questions were raised before kick-off when Norway coach Hege Riise announced the starting XI and omitted key players in Barcelona pair Caroline Graham-Hansen and Ingrid Engen in an unexpected and bold tactical change.
And they were dealt a further blow when they were left without Lyon striker Ada Hegerberg, who picked up an injury in the warm-up, forcing Sophie Román Haug to take her place.
The changes appeared to affect them in the opening half asthe Swiss were dominant and more comfortable in possession.
Coumba Sow was energetic in attack, taking an early shot for the Swiss before drafting in an excellent ball from the right, but Norway had a sturdy back line and looked tight in defence as they came to terms with their reshuffle.
They did have a few chances of their own but nothing solid enough to cause any panic for Inka Grings’ side.
Román Haug produced a header on the 15-minute mark, but Swiss netminder Gaelle Thalmann made the save with ease.
Captain Maren Mjelde of Chelsea then took a shot which flew over the crossbar before Switzerland tried their luck with a low shot from Barca star Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic.
But the forward lost her composure and was unable to hit the target.
Nadine Riesen then had a decent chance to produce a Swiss lead when she fired a cross into the box, but her weighty swing saw the ball skim the crossbar instead.
Heavy rain and evident nerves were a hindrance to both teams, and the second half started similarly to the first with the Swiss on the front foot.
The flow of the game changed when Graham-Hansen was beckoned into play and made an instant impact to the pace on what was her 100th international appearance.
Thalmann was kept busy in the Swiss goal for the last hour of the game due to Graham-Hansen’s belated arrival.
The former Wolfsburg playmaker produced an excellent chance for Norway to take the lead by whipping the ball cleanly around the defence before Thalmann stretched to save.
Ramona Bachmann, who was prominent for Switzerland in the first-half by pressuring the defence and creating space, took a brilliant solo run down the middle but breezed her shot just wide.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, Thalmann was again on her toes when Graham-Hansen produced a powerful hit, and soon after took a direct free kick but couldn’t get the ball to dip as it flew over the crossbar.
Despite the positive performance from Norway, Switzerland will be the happier of the sides with the result and their well-organised side looked resilient throughout.
The group will come to a close on Sunday when Switzerland face New Zealand and Norway clash with the Philippines.
The Swiss are in a good place with four points and look set to grab a place in the last 16, whereas Norway sit bottom with just one point, leaving the group wide open in what is set to be a thrilling end to Group A.
Switzerland: Gaelle Thalmann; Eseosa Aigbogun, Noelle Maritz, Geraldine Reuteler (Sandrine Mauron 79), Julia Stierli; Seraina Piubel (Meriame Terchoun 88), Nadine Riesen, Coumba Sow, Lia Walti; Ramona Bachmann (Marion Rey 90), Ana Maria Crnogorcevic.
Subs not used: Seraina Friedli (gk), Livia Peng (gk), Lara Marti, Laura Felber, Luana Buehler, Viola Calligaris, Fabienne Humm, Alisha Lehmann, Amira Arfaoui.
Norway: Aurora Mikalsen; Thea Bjelde (Marit Lund 88), Tuva Hansen (Anja Sønstevold 73), Mathilde Harviken, Maren Mjelde; Vilde Boe Risa (Ingrid Syrstad Engen 88), Amalie Eikeland (Caroline Hansen 57), Frida Maanum, Guro Reiten; Emilie Haavi, Sophie Haug (Karina Sævik 73).
Subs not used: Guro Pettersen (gk), Cecilie Fiskerstrand, Guro Bergsvand, Sara Hørte, Anna Jøsendal, Julie Blakstad.
Referee: Stéphanie Frappart (France).
Attendance: 10,769 (official).
extratime.com Player of the Match: Ramona Bachmann (Switzerland).
