Valencia earns surprise Norway call
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Article summary
Norway coach Åge Hareide has surprisingly included IK Start player Alex Valencia in his squad to face Estonia.
Article body
By Eivind Aarre
Norway coach Åge Hareide has surprisingly included IK Start player Alex Valencia in his squad to face Estonia on 20 April as he continues his search for a solution on the right flank.
'I am shocked'
The 25-year-old's only previous appearance came as a late substitute in an August 2001 friendly against Turkey, and he was taken aback at his recall. "I am shocked to be selected," he said. "I will aim to do my best." Hareide has turned to the Norwegian league for his players, except for Trond Andersen and André Bergdølmo who play for Danish club Aalborg BK and German side BV Borussia Dortmund respectively.
Norway squad
E Johnsen (Rosenborg BK), Skjeldestad (Sogndal IL), Andersen (Aalborg BK), Andresen (SK Brann), Bergdølmo (BV Borussia Dortmund), Braaten (Rosenborg BK), Hangeland (Viking FK), F Johnsen (Rosenborg BK), Kvisvik (SK Brann), Riseth (Rosenborg BK), Rudi (Molde FK), Solli (Rosenborg BK), Stensaas (Rosenborg BK), Storbæk (Ham-Kam Fotball), Strand (Tromsø IL), Sæternes (SK Brann), Valencia (IK Start), Årst (Tromsø IL).