With ten days to go until the opening match, national team coach Heiji Riese started in full swing with the finishing touches. In New Zealand, female soccer players practice defense before the game against the host nation.
– Recently we have been working with a structure that is stronger in defense, so that the structure also holds up in attacks. It is necessary that we stand better than we have done before, Riise can reveal to Dagbladet.
What specific actions did you take?
– First and foremost, we have worked to become safer in the defensive game, by keeping the structure. Then Rais explains that it is necessary to connect the whole team.
With her to Australia and New Zealand, she has a total of eight defenders, many of whom played during last year’s EC. Old sins have been washed away if Reese is to be believed.
Squared: A lot of time has gone into defensive play in recent weeks, Hege Riise can reveal. Photo: Lars Eyvind Bones/Dagbladet
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– We have many good defenders with us, and we are confident that these will master what they have to do.
This is how football World Cup matches are broadcasted
My revenge
The Rays and Girls Soccer have a lot to prove, after a quick exit during last year’s EC in England. There, the Norwegian girls ended up with only three points after the group stage, and an early return ticket to Norway. It won’t be that way this time, Riise promised.
– Last year, since the failure of the European Championship in England, we have faced many strong countries, and the opposition we offer them is getting better and better. Although we have suffered some losses, we are more resilient, says a cheerleader.
stronger in defence. After several tournaments with many goals, Hege Riise and the rest of the coaching staff take action. Here, Maren Mageldy practices defense at Olival. Photo: Astrid Pedersen/NTB
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The evolution in the defensive game comes as a result of a change of coach, if national team player Marin Milde is to be believed. Milde can reveal the replacement of last year’s national team coach Martin Sjögren-Bress, and the defensive game has strengthened.
– Haig took up defense after several tournaments in which we conceded a lot of goals. We have a tighter structure, a change of formation and brought in some new players. I think we’ll see the effects of that now.
The Defender also speaks of a stronger fighting spirit than before.
– We have gone from defensive work being the responsibility of the defenders, to the whole team working to avoid conceding goals. The team as a whole is fighting hard, aiming to bleed for the kit.
new message
bombarded with sleep questions.
Despite promising claims about better games, it was something completely different that stole attention during the press conference: the ten-hour time difference. Mjelde can be reassured that the team has good control over both sleep and food.
Sleep: With a ten-hour difference between Norway and New Zealand, Maren Mageldy doesn’t hide the fact that sleep was an issue for the first few days. By now you should have gained a good grip. Photo: Astrid Pedersen/NTB
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– We have breakfast later, which means we also sleep longer. It was a little tricky with the time difference, but it worked out really well in practice today.
Riise can also guarantee you battle-ready girls:
There is a lot of laughter and good atmosphere in the group, and there was a lot of good play in today’s training.
A closed training match against Portugal on Sunday night awaits, an important match ahead of the opener against New Zealand on July 20.
Better equipped now
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