Moa hailed as new Solskjaer

Striker back in Norway squad

By Richard Togerson   Last updated: 12th November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Moa hailed as new Solskjaer

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Moa Abdellaoue has been called up to the Norway squad by coach Age Hareide, who has likened him to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Norwegian-born striker, who has Moroccan heritage, has impressed this season and helped Valerenga to the Norwegian Cup, scoring twice in the final against Stabaek.

He made his Norway debut against Republic of Ireland in August and has now done enough to convince Hareide that he should be called up for the match with Ukraine next week.

"The goals were of a top international standard. I haven't seen such a performance since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in his prime days," Hareide told Netavisen.

"I have seen a couple of games where Moa went really close, just wide and when he does start scoring even more his price will go up.

"He's got great technique and surprises keepers with his finishing and that is a good character for a striker.

"I know foreign clubs are watching him but I think he will stay and will benefit from that although if he asks me, I will tell him that the national team would benefit from him playing for an international club on a regular basis."

Norway squad in full:

Espen Johnsen (Godset), Jon Knudsen (Stabaek), Brede Hangeland (Fulham), Tom Hogli (Tromso), Jon Inge Hoiland (Stabaek), Tore Reginiussen (Tromso), John Arne Riise (Roma), Kjetil Warhler (Valerenga), Moa Abdellaoue (Valerenga), John Carew (Aston Villa) Tarik Elyounoussi (Heerenveen) , Christian Grindheim (Heerenveen), Henning Hauger (Stabaek), Thorstein Helstad (Le Mans), Daniel Fredheim Holm (Valerenga), Trond Olsen (Bodo/Glimt), Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn), Bjorn Helge Riise (Lillestrom), Per Ciljan Skjelbred (Rosenborg), Fredrik Stromstad (Le Mans)