Our prediction for this match:
Following a 2-0 win over Slovakia, Norway will look to give fans yet another reason for celebration when they take on Armenia in friendly on Tuesday. Erling Haland, who scored the opener against Slovakia, will be the man to watch in the home team, but Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard should pose a big threat to the opposition back-line as well. Genk midfielder Kristian Thorstvedt is widely expected to return to the starting XI.
The Armenians, on the other hand, did well to beat Montenegro in their last warm-up game, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry on Norway, who rely on aforementioned striker Haland. Defender Styopa Mkrtchyan is banned for the visiting side, and seeing that Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been omitted, anything but a routine home win would be a major surprise.
Highlighted Player (Joshua King):
Joshua King is a Norway international who plays for Premier League side Bournemouth as a striker. King was born in Oslo on January 15, 1992 and he started his career at the youth team of Romsas. In 2006 the Norwegian footballer moved to Valerenga and two years later he joined Premier League giants Manchester United. Nonetheless, he did not see any game action at Old Trafford as he was immediately sent on loan to Preston.
Joshua King played for the likes of Borussia M’gladbach, Hull City and Blackburn Rovers on loan as well before signing a permanent deal with the Riversiders in January, 2013. The pacey attacker scored only three goals in 56 appearances in the league for Blackburn Rovers, but in 2015 Bournemouth chiefs decided to bring him to Vitality Stadium.
Joshua King impressed in the 2016/2017 Premier League campaign, with the Norwegian striker scoring 16 goals in 36 appearances for the Cherries. King provided two assists for his teammates in the process as well.
Highlighted Team (Armenia):
Armenia footballers played for Soviet Union national football team until 1991, when the country declared independence. The Football Federation of Armenia was founded the following year and they quickly established relations with both FIFA (1992) and UEFA (1993).
Despite the fact that Manchester United ace Henrikh Mkhitaryan plays for the Armenia national football team, the Havakakan have yet to qualify for the finals of a major tournament. Mkhitaryan is undisputedly the team’s most famous footballer, but we should mention former Ajax striker Edgar Manucharyan as well, who is in the twighlight of his career. Armenia played their first international game against Moldova in October, 1992 and it has to be noted that they played out a goalless draw with the former Soviet republic.
The Armenians have slim chances of qualifying for the FIFA World cup 2018 finals, but they did well to beat Montenegro in the process. Armenia footballers wear red shirts and red shorts when playing at home ground (Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium), while the colour of their away kits is white.