Norway manager Stale Solbakken has dismissed injury concerns over Julian Ryerson, saying he will 'look even better' against England in the World Cup quarter-final on Saturday. The clash at the weekend follows Norway's historic 2-0 win over Brazil, with Erling Haaland scoring a brace to send his nation into the last eight for the first time. England progressed after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Mexico at the Azteca, setting up a huge encounter in Miami.
Ryerson's injury scare
Borussia Dortmund full-back Ryerson started the win over Brazil, his first appearance since the group stage victory over Senegal. He had missed the defeat to France and the last-32 win over Ivory Coast with a hamstring problem, and was substituted just after the hour mark against Brazil. Ryerson, who provided 15 assists in the Bundesliga last season, received treatment on the bench, sparking fears he might miss the quarter-final. However, Solbakken allayed those concerns.
'It was the calves. Fortunately, the injury held,' said the Norway boss. 'It's just the strain, that he hasn't trained enough. He'll look even better in the next game.'
Historic victory boosts morale
Solbakken was buoyant after the victory, which he described as arguably Norway's greatest ever. 'It's very rare that you fulfil the hopes of an entire nation in that way,' he said. 'That the guys make it so that all of Norway can remember that night here, no matter how it goes. We will do our best to make next weekend just as good.'
Solbakken criticises FIFA over Balogun suspension
Solbakken also criticised a FIFA decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's one-match ban after the USA striker was sent off against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The suspension was lifted after the White House contacted FIFA. 'I think that's a big mistake by FIFA,' Solbakken said. 'I think it's not a great conclusion. He's got the red card and the VAR concluded that it was a red card. He was sent off. That means you are suspended for one game.'
He added: 'I think what's really bad about that situation can be that it will be over the United States now. Because if they beat Belgium, it will have that extra thing about it. Belgium would be furious. What about the next red card? What happens then? Is there going to be a committee somewhere that is going to take that card away? Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad decision that will hurt the World Cup. I feel also sorry for the United States, because if they win, that will always hang in the balance for it. Not good for the sport. Bad decision by FIFA.'
