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If anyone had predicted two years ago that Joël Mall (32) would play against superstar Erling Haaland (22), they would have been declared crazy. The planets of ManCity striker and Olympiacos Nicosia goalkeeper are too far apart. And at that time, hardly anyone thought that Mall would become the Cypriot national goalkeeper.
The former goalkeeper of Aarau and WG has had the Cypriot passport since Tuesday. He made his debut for the national team in the 2-1 draw against Georgia on Saturday, before meeting the world-class Norwegian striker in Oslo on Monday.
Haaland would earn nearly a million francs a week. Despite superstar status, Haaland has no arrogance. “He talked to us a lot, in a correct, funny way. There was no trash talk,” Mall says. “When I parried a shot from him, he kind of complained about it in a funny way. After a collision, he immediately inquired about my well-being. At the end of the game, he came up to me and said, ‘Well done, keeper’. I was very happy to hear something like this from a player in his class.”
Shopping center on the way to Servette
Haaland scored two goals in the 3-1 win, which could have been much better due to the chances. “It was difficult for us, Norway made a power play and had a lot of possession,” says Mall. He can still remember the goals against, but he has not noticed the goal celebration of Haaland. “As a rule, I don’t care for an opponent who has just scored against me,” said the 32-year-old with a smile.
Haaland’s jersey has been dusted off from Cyprus captain Grigoris Kastanos. Of course, Mall didn’t put herself in the front row. After all, he has only recently become a member of the national team. She lost the first three qualifiers, and two more chunks await Mall in September with Scotland and Spain.
But for that, go back home. Servette’s new goalkeeper is expected to attend training in Geneva next Monday.
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
