There’s something about Norway, and it’s not good, especially in recent years.
They have can have two of the best players in world football, and a supporting cast who should be able to complement them, but still appear largely useless on the international stage.
Repeated failure to qualify for international tournaments has left something of a mark, but there’s always been the feeling that if Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard are fit and really try then surely they’ll qualify for the next one.
That feeling may not be too misjudged but the plan hasn’t got any easier after they drew 0-0 with Kazakhstan on Friday afternoon.
Haaland has especially come in for criticism, with a confusion in Norway over how he can concurrently be brilliant for Manchester City and largely useless for his country.
TV2 quote former Norway manager Egil Olsen as saying: “We have two world-class players in the team. Today Erling Braut Haaland was unfortunately far below par. It’s one of the worst things I’ve seen from Haaland. Martin Ødegaard flashes at times, but I have also seen him better. One point here is too bad. There are no other teams in this group that will concede points to Kazakhstan.”
Former coaches can be harsh, but not quite as harsh as fans.
TV2 polled fans for their player ratings. Erling Haaland got 2/10 from supporters and 5/10 from pundits. Martin Ødegaard got 4/10 from fans.
