Norway fighting to stay in WWC after draw
Former winners Norway are fighting to stay in the Women’s World Cup after a draw against Switzerland left them at the bottom of Group A with one game to go.
After being on the receiving end of a shock defeat by co-hosts New Zealand on the opening day, Hege Riise’s side needed to respond but failed to score for the second straight game. They lost star player Ada Hegerberg, who was named on the team sheet, moments before kick-off, the six-time Champions League winner walking down the tunnel amid reports she suffered a groin injury in the warm-up in Hamilton. This was after Caroline Graham Hansen, another huge talent, did not make the starting line-up.
Norway had their chances, with captain Maren Mjelde blazing over from close range before a header by Sophie Haug – Hegerberg’s replacement – was clawed away by Switzerland keeper Gaelle Thalmann.
Switzerland, 2-0 winners over the Philippines in their first match, had chances of their own on a wet surface. Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic fired narrowly over after creating space, while Nadine Riesen’s awkward cross was just about kept out by keeper Aurora Mikalsen.
At the other end, Haug forced another fine save from Thalmann in the second half before substitute Graham Hansen had an attempt turned behind on a hugely frustrating night for Norway who could not make the breakthrough.
Norway must defeat the Philippines in their final group game in Auckland on Sunday (08:00 BST) to stand any chance of going through.
At the same time Switzerland, who top the group with four points, play New Zealand in Dunedin.
