Philippine girls’s nationwide soccer group head coach Alen Stajcic shared that the Filipinas are able to tackle the “immense” problem once they face Norway in an important encounter this Sunday in Auckland.
Stajcic stated the gamers have been laser-focused and in good spirits of their coaching the previous few days following an upset of co-host New Zealand final Tuesday.
And they are going to be seeking to pull off one other huge one once they tackle world no. 12 Norway.
“The practice was good. The team’s in good spirit, they’re training really well and very focused and ready for the challenge,” the Australian coach stated.
“We’ve learned a routine to refocus whether it’s a good result or whether it’s a bad result and that’s really one of the strengths of this team is that we’re able to refocus so quickly and there’s a real sense of maturity around this team.”
Stajcic and the Filipinas stay cautious of the embattled Grasshoppers regardless of a troublesome marketing campaign on this version of the World Cup.
Norway is at the moment sitting within the final spot in Group A with an surprising 0-1-1 win-draw-loss card after falling to New Zealand, 0-1, and ending the match towards Switzerland in a goalless stalemate, 0-0.
Various points have additionally been swirling across the camp of Norway with star participant Ada Hegerberg sustaining an harm previous to their match towards the Swiss three days in the past. In addition, Norwegian winger Caroline Graham Hansen issued am apology to their coach for lashing out throughout the identical sport.
Despite these points, Stajcic stated they can’t underestimate Norway, a former Olympic gold medalist and World Cup winner. Norway additionally holds one World Cup silver and two bronze medals.
“I’m wary of the wounded animal. They have taken a hit to their pride and I expect them to come out fighting,” Stajcic added.
“We don’t know what’s going on in their camp. We saw that Hegerberg went off last game but as everyone knows, you never knock a champion. And she’s a champion. We got an immense amount of respect for her as an individual and for her team and I’m sure every team has its issues.”
“They’re not champions for no reason. We have to be ready for that.”
Stajcic stated dealing with Norway can be no simple feat for the Filipinas. Still, he believes anyone, together with the Philippines, can stage a large upset on soccer’s greatest stage.
“It’s gonna be a big challenge. It’s unbelievable to think that we’re in this position,” Stajcic stated.
“They’re a former Olympic gold medalist so the pedigree within the country and the history of their country’s women’s football is enormous. We know that the challenge is immense and huge but the World Cup’s already produced so many upsets.”
—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
