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VALLE (VG) (Vålerenga – Molde 2–1) Vidar Örn Kjartansson (30) was back at the center of events when Vålerenga beat the ten-man Molde at the Intility Arena.
There was no reaction with a hint of surprise at the eastern end of Oslo when Vidar Örn Kjartansson continued on the same track as before leaving Vålerenga.
On Saturday Martin Bjørnbak was back in Molde’s central defense, but it was “Örnen” who threw the longest straw in a duel with another who shares a name with one of the most well-known predators of Norwegian wildlife.
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And recently, the 30-year-old looked as if he, with a cheeky forward motion, was slipping off the mark to Molde’s midfielder. Up close, he put the cash ball into the net at the nearest post.
– He’s smart. I felt like we had a lot of control all the way until we shut down the whole team for a moment. When we are closer to there, it seems very stupid. The whole team was shut down and then they punish you, Bjørnbak tells VG after the loss.
This was Kjartansson’s fourth league goal already in game number two of the comeback, and his 29th goal in a total of 31 league games for the Oslo club.
IN FRONT: Vidar Örn Kjartansson once again assumed responsibility and was able to cheer along with Fredrik Oldrup Jensen (left) and Jonatan Tollås Nation (right). Photo: Bjørn S. Delebekk, VG
More unexpected was what happened after the break. Kai Erik Steen pointed to the chalk mark and showed John Kitolano as Aron Dønnum fell to the ground inside the Molde penalty area.
While Kjartansson has floated high since landing in Oslo, the ball did the same as the forward tried to put the ball high and in the middle of the goal.
The ball went over the crossbar and ended up on the empty short side where the “Clan” usually stays.
Vålerenga manager Dag-Eilev Fagermo was surprised by the barrier, although he was pleased that the forward continued his hunger for goals.
– Messi also misses the penalty, Fagermo tells VG after the match that he now sees that the team is definitely in the race for medals.
Kjartansson himself explained the boom:
– I put too much force in the shot. I made it more difficult for my teammates, but they didn’t disappoint and played well the last twenty minutes, says Kjartansson.
Here, Aron Dønnum falls to the ground in a duel with John Kitolano.
With ten men, the way back was long for Molde. However, last year’s league champions were close at once, but Kristoffer Klaesson kept pace with a winning save.
A quarter of an hour before the end, Vidar Örn Kjartansson ran out of energy and asked to be replaced. The Icelander left the field with difficulty before the ovations of the local fans.
From the side, he watched Aron Dønnum hit 2-0 and celebrate with a cartwheel. Thus, three points were in the area despite Henry Wingo reducing the advantage.
– We play much better than Molde, which is a team that is up to par. We also do it now, Dønnum tells VG after the game.
He himself was very pleased with the team’s performance, although he felt that Vålerenga was more solid before Molde got John Kitolano sent off. After the 2-0, he also celebrated with a backbend variant.
– It’s been a while since I received it, says Dønnum.
Molde coach Erling Moe, for his part, made it clear that his team did not downgrade the game against Vålerenga, even though they are now entering decisive matches in the Champions League playoffs next week.
– It hurts a bit away in the Elite Series. He does, says Molde’s coach, Erling Moe, after another defeat.
The visiting team seemed to have a touch of European hangover. Only three players who started the game against Qarabag on Wednesday also did so in Valle on Saturday.
Magnus Wolff Eikrem sat the 90 minutes on the bench, and now probably only Ferencváros is leading a Molde team in the quest for the Champions League.
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