One, two, then three, boom boom boom! In sync with the drumbeat, the oarsmen simultaneously drew in and untangled their strokes, becoming increasingly rapid and hurried. The arena buzzed with the rhythmic beat that echoed to the long rows of spectators behind, where countless fans in red shirts also waved their arms in unimaginative rhythm. New York City's MetLife Arena was ablaze with excitement on Tuesday from the Norwegian rowing display following their 3-2 victory over Senegal.
The celebration draws inspiration from and depicts the scene of Scandinavian warriors rowing their boats through waves as they conquered new lands in the 8th century. Through the traditional imagery and rhythms of their ancestors, the victors wish to remind themselves of the courage and willpower required in the arduous journey of fulfilling their dreams.
The moment, a subtle display of excitement following a victory, sparked curiosity. Many praised the intention to remind everyone of the arduous road ahead, but many others felt uneasy about someone bringing up the old "great power" mentality and the injustices and absurdities stemming from the old "might makes right" rule. Fortunately, Norway's qualification for the knockout round after only two matches, and the resilient and humble demeanor of Erling Haaland and his teammates, overshadowed many harsh doubts.
He remains the same energetic center forward with a keen sense of goal-scoring, even though his shirt now bears the name Braut Haaland instead of just Haaland as on his Manchester City shirt. Haaland had a total of 22 touches in the match against Senegal's tight defense, and two of those resulted in exquisite, skillful goals. Just like in his opening match a week earlier, he played a decisive role in securing a crucial three points, allowing his team to advance early while many other strong contenders were still anxiously awaiting the final round.
The teammates also played cohesively and resiliently – especially after the opponent scored the second goal and they pushed hard to find an equalizer. Captain Odegaard deserved his leading role, both in terms of effectiveness and style. It was a sharp pass from the midfielder that allowed Haaland to break through and finish neatly to extend the lead.
Without fanfare or arrogance, Haaland and his team entered the North American soccer tournament with a cautious mindset, exploring and conquering each challenging obstacle step by step. Having been absent from the most prestigious stage for many years, they chose to both compete with all their might and learn from new experiences to improve.
The way this team's top scorer celebrated his goal reflected a humble attitude, self-awareness, and respect for the opponent. The football field holds many unpredictable situations, and the course of events can sometimes reverse after a single play. Therefore, joy only erupts after the final whistle, and the image of rowing a boat through the waves carries a deeper meaning: a message of unity and solidarity, not only on the pitch but also in the stands.
Reaching the knockout stage for the first time in 28 years, especially with only two group stages, Norway is considered a team with great potential. With 4 goals, star player Haaland is in the race for the coveted spot alongside Messi, Mbappe, Kane, and Ronaldo. But the 25-year-old doesn't see that as his biggest goal. He still meditates every afternoon after training and dreams of more moments of rowing boats with his teammates on the football field...
Source: https://baodanang.vn/cheo-thuyen-tren-san-3342139.html
