Injured or not, star striker Ada Hederberg may still play in Norway’s final Group A match against the Philippines in Auckland on Sunday.
The medical staff of the Norwegian side gave this assurance ahead of their final group stage encounter with the Filipinas in 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“The first examination by a physiotherapist and doctor shows that it was absolutely right not to play the match (vs Switzerland). We will set up a plan throughout the week to optimize the opportunities for Ada to play on Sunday,” said team doctor Trygve Hunemo of the 28-year-old Hederberg to news outlets in Norway.
One of her replacements, Graham Hansen will also have chance to contribute big to the Norway’s cause.
Norwegian coach Hege Riise said this as she accepted the Graham’s apology following an outburst, which came out when Norway played Switzerland to a scoreless draw.
“She is genuinely sorry for her emotional outbursts, not only now, but also a bit back in time. There is no reason why this cannot be a success story. We had a crash, now it has to be reset and then we will continue working forward,” said Riise as winless Norway tries to get back on its feet against the Philippines this weekend.
Norway is struggling with its game after it lost former Ballon d’Or winner Hegerberg to a groin injury just before kickoff.
With Norway battling internal issues and its situation at the bottom of the standings, the Philippines has gone deep into its own preparations and now has an equal chance with Norway, Switzerland and New Zealand to get out of the group stage.
With Hegerberg leaving before the start of their game against the Swiss side, the Norwegians badly need a win against the Filipinas in their final game of Group A on Sunday.
Switzerland and Norway played to a scoreless draw at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Tuesday, moments after the Filipinas turned back the New Zealand Ferns, 1-0, at the Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington.
Hegerberg was in the starting lineup, but sustained a groin injury during the warmups, with the coaching staff only finding out of the situation when the team entered the pitch to play against the Swiss side.
The 28-year-old Hegerberg, Norway’s top striker, has made 42 goals for the team, since making her first senior team appearance in 2011. She left the stadium at the end of the singing of the national anthem.
With the Philippines’ upset of New Zealand, Norway fell to the bottom of the standings in Group A.
A loss by Norway on Sunday, coupled by Switzerland beating the Ferns will give the Filipinas a big chance to advance to the knockout stage.
Filipinas’ coach Allen Stajcic said the girls have refocused and gotten back to work in their practice sessions over the last couple of days since their win against the hosts.
“Practice is good. Team is in good spirits, and they’re doing really well and are focused,” said Stajcic, some three days before their game with the Norwegians at the Forsythe Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
Stajcic said the girls have to quickly adjust to the situation after being together in five tournaments.
“It’s really one of the strengths of the team. That we are able to refocus quickly and with a sense of maturity,” added Stajcic.