The closed-doors game, which was scheduled to take place at Scotland’s training camp in Charlotte, was arranged in order to give fringe players a chance of getting playing time before the World Cup.
But Norway, who drew 1-1 against Scotland’s group opponents Morocco in a friendly in New Jersey on Sunday, was informed that the Scots did not want to go ahead with the game because of fitness concerns.
The late cancellation has infuriated Solbakken. “It was very surprising to me, and it is unprofessional of Scotland. It is unprofessional that the coach has not called me, that they use the team manager to make the call, and say that after we have finished training yesterday”, said Solbakken to NRK after Norway’s friendly against Morocco.
“I don’t think the injuries they gave as a reason were sustained in the last training session. It’s not like that. It is disappointing. It is unprofessional. But we have to live with that. That’s why we adjusted a little in the match today”, said Solbakken.
The Scottish cancellation was made at 02.00 CET Sunday morning.
“Of course it’s crazy. We would like to have a match tomorrow, so that everyone can get match practice. Such is life; we can’t complain about it. We have to find solutions”, said Martin Odegaard, captain of Arsenal and Norway, who scored the equalizing goal against Morocco.
Norwegian Player liaison Brede Hangeland was also unimpressed by the Scots.
“We have been working on that match for many months. It is embarrassing to cancel it a couple of days before. We can’t do anything about that, we just have to forget it and make the best of it”, said Hangeland to NRK.
“There has been a lot of organisation, agreements, and ‘gentlemen’s agreements, ‘ and then suddenly they don’t want to anyway. I think that is weak, he says.
Norway play their first World Cup match on 17 June against Iraq, while Scotland will be in action for the first time on 14 June against Haiti.
