September 06, (THEWILL) – Kazakhstan earned a surprise draw against Norway in their first UEFA Nations League League B match. The home team’s strong defence cancelled out Norway’s technical superiority, especially in the first half when Martin Odegaard controlled the midfield.
Norway created several chances but struggled to convert them. Alexander Sorloth set up Felix Horn Myhre for a close-range shot that hit the crossbar. Despite Norway’s attacking efforts, Kazakhstan goalkeeper, Igor Shatsky, had a quiet first half with no saves required.
Erling Haaland, Norway’s star striker, missed a key opportunity early in the second half. Antonio Nusa provided a cross, but Haaland’s volley from six yards out struck the post. This missed chance typified Norway’s night, with only one of their 20 shots hitting the target.
The result was disappointing for Norway manager Stale Solbakken, who aimed to rebuild the team after failing to qualify for UEFA Euro 2024. However, Kazakhstan coach Stanislav Cherchesov will be pleased with his team’s performance as they prepare to face Slovenia in their next match.
This draw marks a strong start to Kazakhstan’s Nations League campaign, while Norway will need to improve their finishing to compete in League B.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
