The Norway winger, Caroline Graham Hansen, criticized the verdict to begin her at the bench in her aspect’s scoreless draw with Switzerland on Tuesday that leaves their hopes of growth putting via a thread.
The 28-year-old was once introduced on as a second-half change however she may no longer conceal her frustration after the sport. “It’s tough, I don’t know what I can say. There’s not much I can say, I feel like I’m standing here with my hands tied,” she said.
“I feel I have been stepped on for a whole year – everyone says all the time that we have to stand together as a team and as a nation, but I feel I’ve been on the receiving end [of a raw deal]Graham Hansen added.
The appointment of Hege Riise as Norway coach in August last year was followed by an announcement that Graham Hansen was stepping away from the national team to concentrate on her health, but she returned to the fold in time for the World Cup.
Her comeback proved to be far from triumphant, and after a poor showing by Norway in their defeat by co-hosts New Zealand in their opening game, Graham Hansen was dropped along with Barcelona teammate Ingrid Syrstad Engen and Manchester City’s Julie Blakstad.
“Nothing comes for free in life, but I thought I had earned a certain amount of respect, but maybe that wasn’t the case,” mentioned Graham Hansen, who received the Champions League with Barcelona closing month.
Asked about the decision to leave Graham Hansen on the bench, coach Riise said she had no regrets.
“Caroline is entitled to be pissed off and to precise an opinion, however since I arrived on this place I’ve at all times mentioned the staff is a very powerful factor,” Riise said. “All players want to start matches. I reached the decision in the best interest of my team and I defend my decision today.”
after publication promotion
Norway have been dealt an enormous blow seconds earlier than kick-off when their striker Ada Hegerberg injured her groin. The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, who has scored 43 targets in 76 video games for Norway, suffered the damage within the ultimate dash of the warm-up, and was once changed via Sophie Román Haug.
“I felt discomfort when sprinting right after the anthems,” Hegerberg wrote on Twitter. “We decided with the staff that no risk should be taken and no subs should be wasted in such an important game for us.”
