Norway will face Brazil in the Round of 16 of the World Cup on Sunday. However, the biggest concern for the Norwegian camp ahead of the match is Erling Haaland.
Haaland scored the winning goal in the 86th minute of Norway's 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast.
But after the match, he admitted that he was so exhausted that he would not have been able to continue if the game had gone into extra time.
Norway coach Stale Solbakken also revealed that Haaland had nearly run out of energy by the start of the second half.
Sports physiologist Dom Ray, however, believes the five-day break will be enough to help the players recover.
According to him, while it is impossible to erase the fatigue accumulated throughout the season, the players should feel much fresher before the match.
Ray said fatigue usually peaks around 48 hours after a match. By 96 hours, or on the fifth day, most players return to their normal physical condition.
He also said Norway's five-day break could prove more beneficial than Brazil's. A three- or four-day break mainly allows time for rest and preparation, whereas five or six days provide enough time for structured training and proper recovery.
To help the squad refresh mentally, Norway also allowed the players to explore New York after their match against Iraq. Ray believes such mental relaxation can have a positive impact on performance on the pitch.
Meanwhile, he also highlighted the importance of hydration breaks.
According to him, players lose significant amounts of water, minerals and energy while playing in hot conditions. Teams that make the best use of these breaks will gain an added advantage.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
