July 29, (THEWILL) – In a major setback for Norway’s national team, former world player of the year, Ada Hegerberg, has been sidelined for their must-win clash against the Philippines in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
With Norway currently at the bottom of Group A, the absence of their star player poses a significant challenge to their qualification hopes. Hegerberg’s groin discomfort, which forced her to withdraw from the 0-0 draw against Switzerland, has persisted despite intensive medical treatment, leading to her exclusion from the final group game.
Norway’s Manager, Hege Riise, acknowledged the possibility of Hegerberg’s absence and praised the team’s preparation and resilience in handling the situation. “The rest of us have prepared as best as we can for what we have to do, and the group has handled it very well,” Riise said. The team’s focus now lies on securing a decisive victory against the Philippines to advance to the knockout stages.
Hegerberg remains optimistic about her chances of returning for the next match if Norway progresses further in the tournament. “I have faith in the team and will continue to work to be ready for a possible round of 16 game,” she remarked.
With Switzerland leading Group A with four points and New Zealand and the Philippines closely following with three points each, Norway faces an uphill battle to secure their place in the next stage. The absence of their key player aside, the team is determined to rally together to overcome this setback.
About the Author
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.
