Northern Ireland v Norway Official Match Programme

NORWAY PLAYERS TOWATCH

Words: Roy Kitson

MISTER RELIABLE The 6ft 4ins keeper has been starring for Norway since 2011. He was replaced by Orjan Nyland in 11 qualifiers for Euro 2016 but has regained his place as his country’s number one and has played in all four WC 2018 qualifiers to date. Has been first choice for his club Hertha Berlin since the start of season 2015-16, and is an ever-present this term. Joined Hertha from Viking Stavanger in January 2014, making his first team debut two months later. A commanding presence in the area, he has lightning reactions and reads the game well. He has been rated as the top keeper in the Bundesliga this season - above Germany’s Manuel Neuer! He was voted Norwegian Player of the Year in 2016. Made his senior international debut in August 2007 when he played for 45 minutes against Argentina (2-1). Played in the friendly against Northern Ireland in Belfast in February 2012 when Norway won 3-0. RED-HOT STRIKER Norway will be looking this evening for the 6ft striker to repeat the goalscoring form he showed earlier this month when he fired home a hat-trick (31, 48 and 90 mins) against West Ham United in a 3-2 win - after missing a penalty after eight minutes. King signed for Bournemouth in May 2015 after leaving Blackburn Rovers. He ended the 2015-16 season as Bournemouth’s top scorer with seven goals. This season he has scored 11 times for the Cherries and is again their leading marksman. Signed for Manchester United as a 16-year-old but never played a league game for them. He went on loan to several clubs, including Preston, Borussia Monchengladbach, Hull City and Blackburn Rovers. Made his international debut as a sub against Iceland in September 2012. He played in six Euro 2016 qualifiers, scoring twice against Malta in a 3-0 away win in October 2014. Has played in the WC 2018 qualifiers against San Marino (away) and Czech Republic (away). CENTRAL LYNCHPIN The 6ft 3ins right-footed central defender moved to German 2nd Bundesliga club 1FC Nurnberg in June 2014 from FK Molde, where he won the Norwegian league championship (Tippeligaen) in 2012 and the cup in 2013. He is rumoured to be looking for a move away from the city of Nuremberg so will be out to make a good impression this evening. He has played 64 league games for 1FC Nurnberg, scoring four times. Hovland played at all youth levels for Norway and made his debut for the full national team in January 2012 in a 1-1 draw against Denmark. He has been an ever present in the WC 2018 qualifiers, playing the full 90 minutes in each game. He played in seven Euro 2016 qualifiers.

RUNE JARSTEIN GOALKEEPER

Club Hertha Berlin

Age 32

Caps 44

Goals 0

JOSHUA KING FORWARD

Club Bournemouth

Age 24

Caps 27

Goals 7

EVEN HOVLAND DEFENDER Club 1FC Nurnberg

Age 28

Caps 22

Goals 0

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