Solbakken was asked about Haaland when he met the press on Friday.
– He has done a very, very good job as captain. Both in the dressing room, on the field and in the group. He has done that without being captain as well. Then he is vice-captain, said Solbakken.
– He has been a very important part of the group throughout the period he has been here. He has been a bit unlucky with some injury breaks in some important away games for us in the European Championship and World Cup qualification, but that is what you have to live with in this business, he added.
When asked if Haaland’s way of solving the captain’s role has surprised him, the answer was:
– No.
Giant trip
Haaland has acted as Norway manager in Martin Ødegaard’s injury absence at the last two meetings.
After the games in October, the Manchester City star received a lot of criticism for not standing up for the press when Norway was humiliated away from home by Austria. Solbakken has also admitted that it was a bummer.
On Thursday, Norway got a much-awaited upturn with the solid 4-1 victory over Slovenia away from home. Antonio Nusa sparkled in the match that keeps alive the dream of first place in the national league.
Nusa, Haaland and Jens Petter Hauge scored Norway’s goals.
If Norway is to finish at the top of the group, Slovenia must take points from Austria on Sunday. At the same time, Norway must beat Kazakhstan at home at the Ullevaal stadium.
– You are never sure of victory, but I am sure of how the match will turn out. But in football anything can happen, said Solbakken about the task ahead.
– They will certainly base their plan on counterattacks. They have two or three fast players up front. We have to avoid some blisters there, he added.
Read also: Haaland after the big win: – Today we have to pay tribute to Ståle
Important space
The national team manager keeps the cards about the lineup close to his chest.
– We haven’t set a team yet. We have some thoughts, said Solbakken.
Second place in the group will also be important from a Norwegian perspective. With that, Norway gets to play for promotion to the A-division against a group third from the top level.
Those matches will be played in March, and in that case, Norway will start its WC qualification in June at the earliest. If Norway is drawn into a group with only four teams, the qualification does not start until September. Promotion will be good both for the team’s development and give an almost guaranteed extra chance in the next EC qualification.
Read also: The way forward for the national team: these are possible opponents in promotion matches