– We’ve talked about developments in survival games. “Today we saw a much better group together, who won the duel, pushed and showed that we have something to do here,” he told NTB after the 2-0 win at The Hague.

From the press stand, you can see the joints stretched out as compact as in the best game the Norwegian national team hates to face.

– That is the hallmark of Norwegian football, the defensive structure that makes it difficult to score goals. And then you keep the chances you get. This is the way in which we have realized that we must come again. We have to start from there, then we can keep building on it. This is a good step in the right direction, said Reiten.

It has been a long time since the Norwegian women’s national team last beat a team at the top of FIFA’s rankings such as the Netherlands who are in sixth place.

Team owner

– I think everyone on the pitch today did exactly what we agreed. It was a real team win, said Reiten.

The whole Norwegian team worked very hard, from striker Sophie Román Haug to the ranks.

– We agreed to put pressure on them, give them a little time and space and make it difficult for them. When you have ten other people behind you yelling and pushing, obviously it makes the job a little easier, Haug told NTB.

The Roma striker tormented the Dutch defense and even scored Norway’s main goal. He was then involved in the start of the own goal that marked the game.

Praise

The Netherlands had talked a lot about their new 3-5-2 formation, but had to give up early when Norway threatened to crush it.

– They couldn’t get it to work, and then they started to get a little annoyed, and they adjusted and changed, and we’re still cracking what they found. Kudos to us for that. “We played 90 minutes today and it was very solid,” said Reiten.

– We took steps along the way. It was great to win today, but there is still a lot of work to be done. “We’ll enjoy it tonight, then work will take us further,” said Haug.