Lillestrøm - Rosenborg 3-2
By Håvard Lindheim, 16 August 2004, 09:32
Lillestrøm got their revenge from the 1-4 loss at Lerkendal six days ago, and so Rosenborg's journey to cup finals arena Ullevaal stopped in the station village 15 kilometres north.
CUP EXIT: Captain Erik Hoftun could not manage to keep the RBK ship on a steady course towards Ullevaal. The team capsized at Åråsen.
Photo: Glenn Slydal Johansen/fugla.com
In other words, at least 14 months to a new cup final for RBK. The defeat also saw an end to RBKs row of 17 matches without defeat since the 0-2 loss against Molde on May 16th.
The evening's quarter final meeting at Åråsen turned out to be just like normal for when these teams meet: tight, exciting with much fighting. The first half an hour the game flowed back and forth, and Frode Johnsen and Harald Brattbakk had several almost's. Close to the break, Lillestrøm got a better hold of the match, and after 38 minutes played 1-0 came - of course on a setpiece situation. Gylfi Einarsson waited at the far post and headed in a Pål Strand corner from the right.
Then RBK really awoke, and during two minutes Roar Strand, Brattbakk and Johnsen all had chances for an equalising goal. Closest was Johnsen, who shot in the bar and out from 17 metres. But at half time the result still was 1-0.
"We had the most chances and the most of the gameplay during the first half," Ola By Rise stated to Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
Four minutes into the second half we finally saw the equaliser. Harald Brattbakk took a free kick from the left, and colleague forward Johnsen used his muscles against strong LSK defenders and headed home 1-1.
Alas, Rosenborg lost the initiative after the goal, and the home team managed to get the game into their hands again. RBK had to give several corner kicks - which was fatal before the break as well; and after 70 minutes the LSK duo Strand/Einarsson struck again with a perfect corner kick; Einarsson broke lose from covering Christer George, and headed firmly in 2-1.
"We did too poor work on defensive setpieces today," Ola By ascertained.
As a result, RBK had to push forward to get another goal - which left more room in the back. Lillestrøm used this when Gylfi Einarsson rounded RBK keeper Espen Johnsen and increased the lead after an effective Robert Koren counter attack.
Most spectators then tought that the game was done, but Rosenborg managed to start a final offensive. Minutes after the 3-1 goal for LSK, Christer George scored as Johnsen won a duel after a free kick.
RBK continued hunting for an equaliser, but it just wouldn't happen. Lillestrøm, then, enters the semi finals in the Cup.
After the game, Ola By Rise grumbled over the fact that Rosenborg didn't use the chances they some times got to counter LSK to death, as they used a somewhat dangerous offside tactic.
"We used one turn too many in out counter attacks. Still, we had so many chances today that we could have won the game. Maybe there are some tired legs, I don't know," By Rise said to local Trondheim newspaper Adresseavisa.
The next battle in the Month of Destiny happens firstcoming Saturday. Number two in the league, Tromsø, comes on a visit.
