Ria Percival and Frida Maanum
The two key players in midfield for their respective nations, Ria Percival and Frida Maanum will try to outdo each other to decide the outcome of the encounter. Nicknamed the fighter, Percival came back from an injury that almost ended her football career. She will be more motivated than ever to put her tenacious work in midfield to keep the region as solid as possible for New Zealand. While Maanum brings creativity to Norway after having a productive season with Arsenal at her club level. The 24-year-old will play in an advanced midfield role to open up space and feed the lethal front three with goals of her own.
Catherin Bott and Guro Reiten
This game could be decided on who wins the battle on the flanks. While New Zealand could exploit Norway’s weakness in the full-back region, they could face the same wrath with inverted wingers Reiten and Hansen steaming towards them. The right-hand side will be particularly exciting with one of the best full-back in WSL, Catherin Bott keeping an eye on arguably the best player in the same competition in Guro Reiten. Known to strike her balance in attack and defence, the latter will be more important for Bott in this match to prevent the Chelsea winger to snap at her heels all the time. The same lyrical will be made on the other flank with Graham Hansen’s swift skill and chance-creating ability ready to trouble Ali Riley.
NZ-W vs NOR-W Head-to-head
Played: 3
NZ-W won: 0
Draw: 0
NOR-W won: 3
