Wales' James warns of Norwegian revenge in Oslo

Winger Dan James says Wales proved a point when they beat Norway – but is wary Erling Haaland and his team-mates are now intent on turning the tables.

The Leeds United attacker said that Craig Bellamy's side were being written off before the eye-catching win in Cardiff last month.

James was on the scoresheet as Wales came from behind to see off the World Cup quarter-finalists, reigniting hopes of staying in the top tier of the Nations League.

It represented the biggest scalp of Bellamy's reign, ending a winless run of six and quietening some of the rumblings of discontent around the manager.

Repeating the trick in Oslo on Saturday (17:00 GMT) would inch Wales to within a whisker of securing third spot and the boost to Euro 2028 qualifying seedings that comes with it.

In contrast, Norway are on their worst run of form in a decade and in danger of dropping out of the European elite they seemed on course to challenge.

"They're a great nation and, at home especially, they've been brilliant," said James as Wales prepared for the encounter at Ullevaal Stadion.

"They're a very hard team to beat and I think after having that win in Cardiff it's something that they've had to take – and they'll be even more up for this game."

Norwegian media were critical of the side that lost in Cardiff having also lost games against Portugal immediately before and after.

The defeat in Oslo – in which Cristiano Ronaldo was left on the bench by Portugal, prompting his walk out and eventual international retirement – was the first time Norway had lost in 12 competitive matches at home.

And Norway have not lost four games in a row since 2016, well before the emergence of much of their current golden generation.

Only veteran goalkeeper Orjan Nyland and fit-again Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth survive from that time.

It suggests Wales will face a side eager to end talk of such issues with a win this weekend.

Norway v Wales

Nations League Group A4

Saturday, 14 November, 17:00 GMT

Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo

Live on BBC iPlayer, BBC Two Wales, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.

James, though, says Wales will be focusing on themselves after silencing critics against the same opposition.

"We won't look to them too much - they've got great players, they've got a great squad and have been great at home – but we have full belief," said the 29-year-old set to win his 69th cap.

"That win over Norway was so important to keep us in the group and we showed what we were about."

Wales had been under fire after losing their opening League A fixtures in Portugal and Denmark, the latter seeing head coach Bellamy admit he had been "hurt" by the performance.

"The manager said it and we all knew it - we didn't perform to our best," James added.

"As a team, we lost our identity a little bit. People had started talking and writing us off a little bit, but I think we showed our reaction and people saw."

'If we can perform, we can do it'

A win in Oslo would leave Wales handily placed to seal at least third in the group, providing they could then either pick up a point in Cardiff against Portugal in their final fixture or hope results go their way.

Although it would likely mean Wales would still have to go to a play-off to retain their League A status, it would guarantee a pot one seeding for the Euro 2008 qualifiers – a tournament Wales will co-host.

"We're all aware of where we want to finish and how important it is going into Euro qualifiers," said James, who was part of the Wales squads that appeared at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup – the nation's last major final appearances.

"We have it in the back of our heads, but we can't put pressure on ourselves – the only thing to know is that if we perform, we can do it.

"We know we have two very important games against teams we want to be playing against. If we want to get to major finals and go far in tournaments, we have to be able to compete against these teams and the manager always reiterates that."