SF with three vital points…
(SF-KFUM 2-1). On a somewhat mediocre evening – we could pop the champagne right at the end. It looked dark when the lightning-fast Obilor Okeke managed to run through – and gave the guests a 1-0 just minutes before half-time. By the way, this was his first goal in the Eliteserien. It seemed slow and sluggish on our part – and we didn’t really recognize the guys from the triumph against Molde last time. There everyone was fired up and throwing themselves into challenges. Here against this year’s surprise team from Oslo – it seemed a bit passive and hesitant from the start. Coach Hans Erik Ødegaard pointed this out after the match. – There is a lot to correct – and it was strange that we made so many unforced errors. But from rock bottom, it can only get better. Hans Erik said after everything turned around. (In the picture above, we see Simon Amin score the winning goal just at the end of the match – Eman Markovic is a keen spectator – photo NTB). When we went to halftime – we didn’t look like a winning team. And it took a bit of time even after the break – before we really got ignited. – We knew that there were substitutes on the bench who could turn the whole thing around. In the final stretch, everyone in the squad would become important. Whether they played little or the whole game. Coach Ødegaard tells that some of the best things there are – is to win football matches. And that’s exactly what we did….
For after 75 minutes of play – captain Filip Ottosson crossed into the box – and the youngest of them all, Martin Gjone, rose the highest. – I had my back to the goal – and didn’t realize that I had scored until the ball was in the net. I was convinced that I had scored my first goal in the top division up in Molde. It was a real downer when that was disallowed. But now it came – and the goal was important. It gave us back our ‘faith’ – and we eventually also got the winning goal. Personally, I am very pleased with my development this season – but much more important is the victory. This was a big step towards a renewed contract – even though four series rounds still remain. This was gold. What a night. 19-year-old Martin Gjone got the chance from the start – and ensured the balance. Suddenly it was 1-1 – and the audience (3543) got new hope. After the equalizer, we gathered ourselves – and made a real final push. And in the last regular minute of the match – came what everyone was waiting for. A hard cross from substitute Elias Jemal – which goalkeeper Emil Ødegaard had to parry – was immediately netted from close range. And that was from yet another substitute. Simon Amin became the hero of the entire stadium when he swept in the 2-1. And shortly afterwards, referee Sigurd Kringstad could blow the final whistle.
What started at a “jogging pace” – ended with a real festive evening. And KFUM coach Johannes Moesgaard warned about SF and their style of play in advance. – I have great respect for Sandefjord – and their brave way of playing football. They press high, want to have the ball a lot and are a very skilled, playing team. We made a total of six changes from the home game against Haugesund last time (0-0) – because it’s clear that we are thinking about the semi-final against Fredrikstad this coming Wednesday. This was said by KFUM coach Moesgaard before the match – and we did not see midfield chief Robin Rasch or top scorer Johannes Hummelvoll-Nunez on the field. In any case, we got to see a fast and direct playing ‘Kåffa team’ – which took control from the start. Until it turned around. – It was particularly weak and surprising for us to completely collapse after 70 minutes. This said a disappointed scorer Okeke after zero points and a long bus ride home to the capital. We, on the other hand, got a full pot on a somewhat sub-par day – and that is also a strength. There was a relieved and happy SF crew in the locker room after three new points. For all we know, these three points could secure us a new season in the Eliteserien. We are not getting carried away – but tonight there will be a small celebration….
Written by: Tom Dahl Frøshaug
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