Odegaard backing Norway to avenge Wales defeat

Arsenal's Premier League-winning captain Martin Odegaard also wears the armband for Norway [Getty Images]Martin Odegaard admits snow disruption has affected Norway's preparations for Saturday's Nations League meeting with Wales – but the Arsenal captain is backing his team to avenge their defeat in Cardiff last month.Wales beat the World Cup quarter-finalists 2-1 for their only win of the campaign so far, with Norway head coach Stale Solbakken describing the first-half performance as their worst for two years.Norway had to train indoors on Thursday because the Ullevaal Stadion pitch, which was criticised earlier this year before being repaired in the summer, was covered in snow.That snow was cleared on Friday, allowing Norway to resume training in Oslo as they look to climb off the bottom of Group A4.How do you stop Haaland? Wales show how it's doneWales' James warns of Norwegian revenge in OsloThey have three points out of six from four games, the same tally as Wales, but are below Craig Bellamy's side in third because of their head-to-head record."Obviously we wanted to train yesterday, so it's not ideal but you have to adapt to the situation, and I think it's not the end of the world," Odegaard said.On the defeat in Wales, the Arsenal midfielder added: "Our level was not where it should be. I think it's probably the only game for a long time where we haven't been playing to our standards."Wales is a good team, a competitive team, lots of good players in big leagues and a physical team as well, and we were prepared for that."But I think on the day we were just not showing up to our standards and that's something we want to show tomorrow [Saturday], and we can do a lot better. We want to show a different version tomorrow."Having been unbeaten in 2025 before impressing with their run to the last eight at this summer's World Cup, Norway have lost their past three matches , with 2-1 defeats against Portugal either side of their loss by the same score in Cardiff.Norway and Wales still have a chance of finishing second behind Portugal, but they are also battling each other to avoid potential relegation from the Nations League's top tier."It's like a boxing game, going head-to-head, fist-to-fist," said Solbakken."I think Wales has always been a very attacking team under Bellamy. They've had great progress with the ball."I think it suits the team with the offensive players they have, the speed on the wings and Harry Wilson back. And [Lewis] Koumas getting more minutes for Liverpool, so I think that suits them."I'm not surprised that they will go all in but it's our home game so obviously I think they will also have their struggles with us. Let's see."Wales head coach Bellamy and winger Daniel James, who scored their first goal in Cardiff last month, have said they are mindful of Norway's desire to exact revenge.Asked if that was an incentive for his side, Solbakken said: "I think both teams need to win the game, so you can call it revenge or whatever."I think we were very passive in the first half against Wales. We had no intensity in our play. We were decent with the ball, but we were crap without the ball."Overall, they deserved to lead by half-time and then there was our red card one minute into the second half."I think the first half was our worst performance in two years, we have to be honest about that."It's two aims for us now in this football year. That is to at least be going for the third place first, and that we can do tomorrow. It's a crucial game."Wilson eyeing survival step as Wales tackle NorwayJohnson says definitely more to come after 50 caps