Northern Ireland v Norway Official Match Programme

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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.
34
NORWAY
PLAYERS TOWATCH
RUNE
JARSTEIN
GOALKEEPER
Age
32
Caps
44
Goals
0
Club Hertha Berlin
Words: Roy Kitson
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).
JOSHUA
KING
FORWARD
Age
24
Caps
27
Goals
7
Club Bournemouth
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.
EVEN
HOVLAND
DEFENDER
Age
28
Caps
22
Goals
0
Club 1FC Nurnberg