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    Stajcic still wary of 'wounded animal' Norway ahead of Filipinas match

    Stajcic hardly sees an advantage amid Norway signs of turmoil
    Jul 28, 2023
    Alen Stajcic Filipinas training
    Alen Stajcic talks to media after the Filipinas' training session on Friday.
    PHOTO: Reuben Terrado

    AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Filipinas coach Alen Stajcic said Norway remains a formidable foe, regardless of whether there are issues within the team or not during their 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup.

    The Philippines will take on Norway on Sunday in its final group stage match at Eden Park with the Filipinas eyeing a place in the knockout stage with a victory.

    Norway, though, will come into the game with reports of injury to top striker Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen unsatisfied with being a substitute in their scoreless draw against Switzerland on Tuesday.

    READ: Norway showing signs of Turmoil ahead of Filipinas match?

    Graham Hansen has already apologized for her remarks after the scoreless draw after taking “the focus away from what actually matters and that is being here and playing in the World Cup.”

    Regardless of the situation inside the Norway camp, Stajcic doesn’t see any advantage and said their opponent remains a huge stumbling block to the Philippines’ bid to make history once again and progressing into the next round.

    “Look, we don’t know what’s going on in their camp. We saw Hegerberg went off last game. But as everyone knows, you never knock a champion,” said Stajcic following their training on Friday at Olympic Park.

    Filipinas training

    Stajcic said Hegerberg, the first-ever Ballon d’Or Feminin winner in 2018, will remain a threat, whether she is healthy or not.

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    “And she is a champion and she’s earned the right to be a champion. You don’t get player of the world awards unless you are an amazing footballer. We’ve got an immense amount of respect to her, and an individual and for their team,” said Stajcic.

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      Stajcic expects Norway to be playing the Philippines like a team with their backs against the wall, as they are heading into the match. Norway is at the bottom of Group A with just one point, needing a win to keep its hopes alive of entering the round-of-16.

      “I’m sure every team’s got their issues. Just because it’s publicized, we all know that stuff can be exaggerated. But I’m also wary of the wounded animal as well. They would have taken a hit to their pride. And they can come out fighting. They are not champions for no reason. Champions always know how to fight back and come back. So we have to be ready for that,” said Stajcic.

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      Alen Stajcic talks to media after the Filipinas' training session on Friday.
      PHOTO: Reuben Terrado
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