Ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, Norway has unveiled its squad ahead of the opening group game against the Flying Eagles of Nigeria, which is set to take place on September 29, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Norway will be making its fourth appearance at the FIFA U20 World Cup on the men’s side, having earned its ticket to Chile through a dramatic campaign at last year’s European Championship.
Despite their previous outings, Norway has never managed to progress beyond the group stage, a record that head coach Bjørn Johansen is determined to change. He has made it clear that the squad is focused on achieving a historic breakthrough this time around.
"It's a natural ambition, no doubt about it. There are three quite different teams in terms of style and physicality. Nigeria is the best in terms of physics, Colombia I consider the best team, and Saudi Arabia has skills at a very high level. They are exciting opponents, but a group we can definitely advance from," head coach Bjørn Johansen stated.
The Norwegians will face a challenging group schedule, beginning with a clash against Nigeria on Monday, September 29.
They will then meet Colombia in the early hours of Thursday, October 2, before rounding off their group fixtures against Saudi Arabia on Monday, October 6.
Norway's squad
Sander Østraat - HamKam, Magnus Brøndbo - Bodø/Glimt, Einar Bøe Fauskanger - Haugesund, Luca Høyland - Skeid, Rasmus Holten - Sogndal (on loan from Brann), Mathias Øren - Sogndal, Håkon Røsten - Ranheim (on loan from Rosenborg), Jonathan Norbye - Arminia Biefeld (on loan from RB Leipzig), Vetle Auklend - Viking, Sondre Granaas - Molde, Tobias Moi - Viking, Kasper Sætherbø - Mjøndalen (on loan from Viking), Ola Visted - Hødd (on loan from Viking), Lars Remmem - Brann, Niklas Fuglestad - Moss (on loan from Viking), Martin Håheim-Elveseter - Egersund (on loan from Sarpsborg 08), Bork Bang-Kittilsen - Mjällby, Gustav Nyheim - Molde, Markus Haaland - Brann, Magnus Holte - Hødd (on loan from Rosenborg), Julian Lægreid - Brann, Casper Glenna Andersen - Pors (on loan from Odd), David de Ornelas de Conno- HamKam andIgor Gosik - Molde.
By Oluwadamilola Olaleye