Norway will be hunting for goals against Ghana

Hangzhou, China - Norway enters its Group C finale against Ghana on Thursday needing only a draw to advance to the knockout round of the competition.

The Norwegians have progressed to the final eight in each of their previous four World Cup's, and they are a safe bet to make it five on Thursday against a Ghana team that has already been eliminated after two losses in two games.

Norway is currently in second place in the group based on goal differential, but it will have a chance to pile up some goals against the African club, which has conceded eight goals in two games.

Norway and Ghana got an extra day to prepare because Typhoon Wipha pushed the game back a day and switched its location from Shanghai to Hangzhou.

Australia has a plus-two edge on Norway, but must play a tough contest against Canada, while Ragnhild Gulbrandsen and Norway will look to pad its goal differential in an effort to win the group.

Winning the group is very important for Norway because the team would like to avoid a possible quarterfinal meeting with Brazil, which it can by finishing first. By winning the group, they would get an easier game against China or possibly Denmark.

The Scandinavians came within seven minutes of clinching a spot in the next round, but Australia's Lisa DeVanna notched the equalizer and now a big win is what Norway will be looking for.

The biggest question for Bjarne Berntsen's side entering the tournament was its ability to score goals. That question still lingers as a potential problem for a team that is very well balanced in every other aspect.

Keeper Bente Nordby has experience on her side and also showed that she is still capable of coming up with the big save, which she did on a few occasions in the second half of the team's 1-1 draw with Australia.

Norway is solid defensively and has shown a good mix of playmakers and strong two-way players in the midfield. However, it is a lack of firepower at times that has caused Norway problems.

Gulbrandsen is a legitimate threat to score at all times, and she has tallied two of the team's three goals in the competition. The trouble comes when Gulbrandsen is taken out of the game by the opposition and no other player fills those shoes.

Melissa Wiik will be counted on to find the goal and Lene Mykjaland has shown promise off the bench.

This problem will not cost Norway on Thursday, but it is a question that must be answered for the team to advance into the final four.

Ghana is just trying to take something away from this tournament, but is unlikely to succeed.

After losing 4-1 to Australia in its opener, Ghana dropped a 4-0 decision to Canada and now faces a Norway side that is better in every phase of the game.

The Norwegians quick passing game will give Ghana trouble, and a tough back line does not figure to give many chances to the Black Queens attack.

Ghana entered this tournament as the lowest rated team, 47th, and they have done nothing to disprove that. They would do well to keep this game close, but an inspired Norway is looking for a big win to advance as group winners.

It figures to be another tough day for manager Isaac Paha's side, which will have four years to work on improving its fortunes for the next World Cup.