Norway coach Stale Solbakken has urged his players to stay focused on the game rather than the occasion as they prepare to face five-time champions Brazil in the World Cup Round of 16 on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters in New Jersey on Saturday, Solbakken said his team must avoid being intimidated by Brazil`s reputation and instead concentrate on their own performance.
"We need to play the match, not the circumstances," he said. "We have to make sure we don`t get caught up in the occasion but simply focus on playing our football."
While acknowledging Brazil`s status as favourites, the Norway coach said the gap between the two teams is not as significant as it once was.
"Brazil are the favourites, but I don`t think they are overwhelming favourites like they may have been a few years ago," Solbakken added.
The two nations last met at the 1998 World Cup, when Norway claimed a memorable 2-1 victory over Brazil in the group stage.
Norway also take confidence from their overall record against the South American giants, having won two and drawn two of their previous four meetings.
"We`ve been on a very good run for quite some time now, and the team is full of confidence," Solbakken said ahead of the knockout clash.
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