Published: November 10, 2024, at 19:09Last updated: November 11, 2024, at 00:29
Odd is at the bottom of the Eliteserien with two rounds remaining, and the gap to Haugesund in the qualification spot is now seven points.
Kenneth Dokken’s boys have only won five league matches this year, and since July the team has been below the relegation line. Hope was there before Sunday’s away match against Sandefjord, but it turned out to be a tough game for the team in white.
Odd captain Etzaz Hussain was relentless in the interview with TV 2 after the match.
– A football table is quite honest. We deserve to be where we are. It’s more or less the same today; we create almost nothing.
Few Chances
Torgeir Børven had a good opportunity after 21 minutes, but was stopped by Sandefjord goalkeeper Hugo Keto. That was mostly it for Odd in a chance-starved first half.
After the break, it would become even harder. Sandefjord played solid attacking football after 57 minutes, and Jakob Dunsby came in from the right and played a flat ball into Eman Markovic, who ran in to make it 1-0 for the hosts.
A win would secure Sandefjord’s avoidance of direct relegation from the Eliteserien, and the goal ignited emotions among the home fans. The crowd sent off a series of flares that smoked out the entire field for a few minutes after Markovic’s goal.
It could have easily been 2-0 for Sandefjord after 78 minutes, but Odd goalkeeper Kjetil Haug made a great save with his legs as Dunsby dribbled through the Odd defense and shot low.
Also read: Kåffa in their worst streak in three years: – Don’t see a team playing for their lives (+)
– Enough to Play For
Odd made several offensive substitutions and fought desperately for a goal as time ran out, but they were unsuccessful. Thus, only two Eliteserien matches remain for Børven & co. this season.
– It’s tough, but we just have to try to do our best in the next two. All of us who play here need to prove that we deserve to wear the shirt. So we have enough to play for, Hussain said.
At the end, it became dramatic when Sandefjord’s Stefan Sigurdarson was played through alone on goal. Sondre Solholm Johansen took him down and was sent off, and Sandefjord was awarded a free kick. After that, the match ended 1-0.
The last time Odd was in the 1st division was in 2008. They were promoted directly, finishing in 1st place in the league.
For Sandefjord, the intense battle to avoid 14th place, which leads to qualification for Eliteserien in 2025, continues.
Also read: Extremely important win for Haugesund – open in the qualification battle
Eliteserien, round 28
Sandefjord – Odd 1-0 (0-0)
5497 spectators.
Goal: 1-0 Eman Markovic (58).
Referee: Daniel Higraff, Randaberg.
Yellow cards: Andreas Tegström, Jakob Dunsby, Sander Risan Mørk, Sandefjord.
Red card: Sondre Solholm Johansen (90), Odd.
Teams:
Sandefjord (4-3-3): Hugo Keto – Filip Loftesnes-Bjune, Martin Gjone, Stian Kristiansen, Vetle Walle Egeli – Loris Mettler, Filip Ottosson, Simon Amin (Sander Risan Mørk from 76.) – Jakob Dunsby (Fredrik Berglie from 88.), Alexander Ruud Tveter (Stefán Ingi Sigurdarson from 76.), Eman Markovic.
Odd (4-2-3-1): Kjetil Haug – Solomon Owusu, Sondre Solholm Johansen, Sheriff Sinyan, Josef Baccay (Bork Bang-Kittilsen from 79.) – Alexander Fransson, Etzaz Hussain – Bilal Njie (Mikael Ingebrigtsen from 61.), Filip Jørgensen (Oliver Hagen from 61.), Tobias Svendsen (Ole Erik Midtskogen from 71.) – Torgeir Børven.
Other results: HamKam – Rosenborg 0-2, Haugesund – Tromsø 2-0, Kristiansund – Viking 0-1, Sandefjord – Odd 1-0, Sarpsborg – Molde 2-2, Strømsgodset – KFUM Oslo 1-0, Bodø/Glimt – Fredrikstad 2-2.
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[Time.news Interview: The Struggle of Odd in Eliteserien]
Host: Welcome to Time.news! I’m here with football analyst and expert, Dr. Lars Holm, who has been closely following the Eliteserien. Today, we’re diving into the intense situation that Odd finds itself in at the bottom of the league table. Thanks for joining us, Dr. Holm.
Dr. Holm: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss football dynamics.
Host: So, Odd has only managed to win five league matches this season and is now seven points adrift from safety. What has gone wrong for them this year?
Dr. Holm: It’s a combination of factors. They’ve struggled significantly with consistency and have maintained an underwhelming offensive performance since July. Captain Etzaz Hussain himself highlighted the team’s deficiencies post-match, stating, “We create almost nothing.” This sentiment is echoed across their play style; they seem devoid of confidence in front of the goal.
Host: In their recent match against Sandefjord, they seemed to struggle to create scoring opportunities. There was a critical moment when Torgeir Børven had an opening, but it was denied by the Sandefjord goalkeeper. How much does that reflect their season as a whole?
Dr. Holm: Absolutely. The lack of chances is indicative of their broader struggles. During that match, the first half was particularly starved for action, with only one real opportunity. Such patterns have been recurring; it’s as if they’re relying too heavily on individual moments rather than structured team play to break down defenses. Without creating clear chances, they cannot expect to turn their situation around.
Host: And it’s not just about offense; their defense has also been under scrutiny. They conceded a goal early in the second half to Eman Markovic, igniting Sandefjord’s home crowd and further undermining Odd’s chances of a comeback. What does this mean for their overall morale?
Dr. Holm: Conceding early in a match, especially when already in a precarious position, can be demoralizing. The players might start feeling the weight of the situation more heavily, as they know every point counts. Hussain’s remarks about needing to prove themselves indicate there’s a recognition of their challenges, but it also suggests a sense of urgency to fight back. However, with only two matches left, they must channel that urgency into tangible results.
Host: Speaking of the remaining matches, what do you think Odd needs to do to salvage their season? Can they turn the tide in these last two games?
Dr. Holm: It’s going to be crucial for them to adopt a more aggressive playing style. They need to take risks, particularly in their attacking play. Making bold substitutions, as they attempted against Sandefjord, might help spark some creativity on the pitch. Moreover, teamwork and communication will be vital in both the offensive and defensive lines. They have to play with the mentality that every remaining match is a final—anything less could mean relegation.
Host: It’s indeed a disheartening position for the team, especially considering their historic performance; they last faced relegation in 2008 when they were promoted. Does their history add pressure to this current squad?
Dr. Holm: Definitely. With such a legacy, there will always be heightened expectations from fans and the club itself. The players are aware of the history, and that can create added pressure. However, this can also serve as motivation. If they remember their capabilities and the club’s proud history, they might be able to find the strength to fight for their place in the top league.
Host: Thank you, Dr. Holm, for your insightful analysis. It will be interesting to see how Odd responds in their final matches. Let’s hope they can muster up the courage to stake their claim in the Eliteserien!
Dr. Holm: Absolutely, it’s going to be a tense conclusion to the season. Thank you for having me!
Host: And thank you for joining us on Time.news. We’ll be keeping a close eye on Odd and the Eliteserien as the season wraps up. Stay tuned!