They’d already qualified to play in the World Cup next year, but Norway’s national women’s football team more than secured their spot by crushing Albania in the last of the matches for its group. Sophie Román Haug scored three of Norway’s five goals, against Albania’s zero.
The match played out in Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, so the Norwegians definitely had the home turf advantage. Albania was utterly wiped out, however, while Haug may also have benefited from playing under coach Hege Riise while at LSK Kvinner.
“I know Hege from before (Riise took over as head coach of the national team) and how she wants to play,” Haug, who now plays professionally for Roma, told state broadcaster NRK. “It gives a sense of security.”
Riise herself was greatly pleased by the 5-0 result of her second match as head coach. Now she’s looking forward to training matches against other top national teams in the run-up to the World Cup next summer. “I’m sure we’ll get some matches against the best,” she told NRK.
NewsinEnglish.no staff
