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Abbie Parr/AP
Norway and Switzerland could only draw in Hamilton.
At Waikato Stadium, Hamilton: Switzerland 0 Norway 0. HT: 0-0.
Group A points (games played): Switzerland 4 (2), New Zealand 3 (2), Philippines 3 (2), Norway 1 (2).
Switzerland and Norway shared the points in a frustrating 0-0 draw in Hamilton and both are still alive at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The point is better for the Swiss and less so for Norway, who lost star striker Ada Hegerberg before kick-off in a confusing, last-minute withdrawal on a wet Tuesday night.
The Football Ferns’ surprising 1-0 defeat to the Philippines in Wellington earlier on Tuesday threw group A wide open. Switzerland and Norway’s tense, desperate stalemate means all four teams can still make the knockout stages.
As torrential rain hammered another sports event this year at Waikato Stadium, with 10,769 in attendance, both teams endeavoured to find a winner but lacked quality in front of goal.
Norway’s need for a victory was greater after their shock 1-0 loss to co-hosts New Zealand last Thursday.
The 1995 world champions were far better in their second match, but they were denied by several strong saves from in-form Swiss keeper Gaëlle Thalmann and stay bottom of group A.
A point for Switzerland keeps them top after they beat the Philippines 2-0 in Dunedin in their opener. They, too, pushed for a winner and could have struck had Ramona Bachmann, Seraina Piubel and Meriame Terchoun been more decisive with their final ball.
They meet the Football Ferns in Dunedin on Sunday when both will be fighting for a place in the last 16, as will Norway and the Philippines when they clash at Eden Park.
Vilde Bøe Risa and Frida Maanum were energetic in Norway’s midfielders to offset Hegerberg’s absence, while Swiss defender Julia Stierli was equally solid as Thalmann in repelling frantic Norwegian attacks.
Norway missed Hegerberg.
The Lyon striker and former world player of the year was taken out of their starting XI about 30 seconds before kick-off because of a reported illness or an injury.
Her replacement, Sophie Roman Haug, troubled the Swiss with her height and presence but couldn’t find the net and was brought off for Karina Sævik in the second half.
In fact, Norway started without two of their star attackers, Hegerberg and Barcelona forward Caroline Graham Hansen, although the latter’s absence was forecast. It was the first time neither had started a World Cup match for Norway since 2011.
Graham Hansen had been struggling with a sore throat since their opening defeat to the Football Ferns.
She was brought on in the 57th minute but struggled to make an impact down the right wing, as well as wasting a good free-kick opportunity.
Hegerberg’s withdrawal was most unusual after her dramatic exit moments before kick-off.
She was due to start and even posed for the team photo with the starting XI after the national anthems.
However, she was soon walking down the tunnel. It wasn’t clear why Hegerberg withdrew as the match kicked off in pouring rain in Hamilton and whether she was injured or struggling with an illness.
After her late inclusion, Roman Haug had the first clear chance in the 24th minute with a free header that was beaten away by Thalmann.
Swiss forward Ana Maria Crnogorčević blasted a shot over the bar in a cagey first half with few openings.
There was little between the two European sides, who hadn’t met in six years until this crucial fixture, and neither looked happy at half-time, walking off sodden.
Another chance fell to Roman Haug after Norway started the second half strongly, driving at Switzerland’s defence, but her half-volley was again saved by Thalmannm.
Appropriately, the inspired Swiss stopper had the final say, claiming a high ball as another Norway attack fizzled out.
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