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(Sandefjord – Viking 2-2) Sandefjord led with two goals a quarter of an hour before the end, but two goals from substitute Veton Berisha (26) saved Viking a point.
The teams are on a tough game schedule and Viking played its third game in eight days. Then Bjarne Berntsen decided to switch up to eight players from the previous game, and top scorer Veton Berisha was one of those who had to start on the bench.
With half an hour to go, Berisha got in and responded with two goals. With that, he has up to 15 goals this season, a goal he set himself before the season.
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– It’s good to reach that goal, says Berisha to Eurosport, saying he was ready to start the game.
– Now the others had the opportunity, so I had to make a good effort when I entered.
That effort was necessary, because it could seem that the team was characterized by the many changes initially in the game. The game did not sit down, and after the first half contested half, Sandefjord took the lead. Mats Haakenstad threw the ball into the box. Sivert Gussiås put his chest into the ball before it hit the back post. Rufo was completely unmarked and threw the ball into goal.
Viking did not respond to the home team’s first goal before the break, and Viking captain Viljar Vevatne was not happy with what the team had shown in the first 45 minutes.
– He didn’t treat us well, Vevatne told Eurosport during the break.
In the second half, Viking chased the tie, and should have come after an hour. Sebastian Sebulonsen first jingled the ball into the metal, before it rolled towards Samuel Fridjonsson. The Icelander was allowed to stand in a five-meter completely blank square, but the shot went to the post.
Viking kept pushing, but when they missed their chances, Sandefjord took second in the 73rd minute.
Brice Wembangomo made a good post, that Viking didn’t get away with it. Then Rufo appeared on the back again, and scored his second goal of the match.
Just three minutes later, Viking responded. Veton Berisha, who had entered from the bench, was suddenly alone in the field. With a long-term shot, he created a new life in fighting.
Sandefjord chased after his first home win since August 1, but two minutes before the end, victory came. Joe Bell played Berisha, and only with the goalkeeper was he safe and the distribution of points was ensured.
With one point, Sandefjord has almost secured a spot in the Elite Series. Only a weak theory can prevent the club from playing at the highest level next season.
– It’s a small consolation. What we delivered in the last half hour were bad things, Sandefjord captain Lars Grorud tells Eurosport.
See more Elite Series stats on VG Live.
The elite series
- Champions League qualifier
- Europa League qualifier
- Descent rating
- Decline
