Wales full of belief against Norway: Dan James issues warning to team-mates

Dan James is delighted with the win Wales claimed over Norway during the last international break, but he has warned his team-mates ahead of the return fixture in Oslo.

Wales, who made a poor start to their UEFA Nations League campaign with defeats to Portugal and Denmark, picked up their first points of the group by beating Norway 2-1 at home. Dan James, who scored the equaliser in that match, struck a cautious tone ahead of the away fixture.

With two matches remaining in Group A4, Wales sit third on three points, ahead of Norway on head-to-head record, and their chances of reaching the quarter-finals, though dependent on miracles, are still alive. However, James said they expect a much tougher Norway performance at Ullevaal Stadion on Saturday.

Highlighting Norway's strength, James said: "They are a great footballing nation and they play superbly, especially at home. They are a very difficult team to beat and, after our win in Cardiff, they will come into this match far more fired up. Even so, our belief in ourselves is complete. The win over Norway was crucial for us to stay in the group and we showed our identity on the pitch. We stumbled a bit at the start of the tournament, people had started talking about us and writing us off, but we produced the response that was needed."

Wales have failed to win any of the five matches they have played away to Norway (two draws, three defeats). Their most recent visit to Norway was a friendly that ended 0-0 in May 2004, and current head coach Craig Bellamy was in the starting line-up that day.

Wales, who have managed just one win in their last eight matches in all competitions, are aiming at the very least to finish third in the group and contest a play-off to stay in League A. Finishing third would also guarantee Wales a place in Pot 1 for the EURO 2028 qualifiers, a tournament they will co-host.

On the subject, Dan James said: "We know very well where we want to finish in the group and how crucial that is for the EURO qualifiers. We have to focus on the pitch and deliver our performance without putting pressure on ourselves. If we want to be at major tournaments and go far, we have to be able to compete with teams like these, and our head coach is constantly instilling that in us."