Rosenborg - PSV Eindhoven 1-2
By Håvard Lindheim, 26 October 2004, 11:39
Rosenborg did not manage to turn away from the bad matches of the Tippeliga. Result: the third loss in a row.
CELEBRATING 1-1: Øyvind Storflor gets cheers from his team mates after the pre-pause score. Unfortunately the cheers went missing after a while ...
Photo: Thomas Myren
Ola By Rise chose to set Mikael Dorsin and Harald Brattbakk out after the weak performance against Stabæk. In came Ståle Stensaas, and the Champions League debutant Thorstein Helstad. The remaining nine got renewed confidence, as neither Christer Basma nor Ørjan Berg were back from injuries.
The first 20 minutes were even. Both teams had shots on or outside the goal, tough neither Espen Johnsen nor his colleague Heurelho Gomes had any trouble.
The guests from the Netherlands created the first big chance. Unfortunately, they used it for what it was worth. Left wing Jefferson Farfán outran watchman Robbie Russell, got the ball, and steered it safely into the net - alone with RBK keeper Johnsen. Way too simple!
After the goal against, Rosenborg took over. Their first great chance came after 34 minutes. Frode Johnsen headed a pass down into Øyvind Storflor's feet as he came running through from the left. Unfortunately, the angle got too dead for Big Øyvind, and he shot just wide.
Eight minutes later, tough, Storflor was to succeed. Erik Hoftun came on a real defender raid, passed out to Stensaas, who sent a marvellous pass to Storflor. The fastfoot raised into the air and headed the ball into the net! Has RBK now found a new "baron of the air" on the left wing? [comment: that was one of the nicknames for old wingman Jahn Ivar "Mini" Jacobsen.]
RBK continued their pressure, and managed a few more shots before the break. Closest came Storflor, with a nice half volley.
Rosenborg brought the good feeling back from the break. PSV was pushed back, and Hoftun - among others - came close. But it was never to be; the Dutch came back. Espen Johnsen had a marvellous save on a Farfán free kick, and minutes after, John de Jong had a great shot that went just above the crossbar.
And so the most boring period came. PSV Eindhoven had announced that they would be well pleased with a draw here, and with one safe point they took no chances. RBK, on their hand, struggled to create anything.
Four minutes before the end, what should not happen did. The strong Dutch centre forward Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink won a duel with Erik Hoftun, headed the ball down to an unmarked de Jong, who scored. Again, too easy.
With Wednesday's 1-2 loss, Rosenborg still only has one point. To take the second place in the group now seems difficult. Instead, we should try to take the third spot from Panathinaikos, and secure further play in the UEFA cup.
Match Details
ROSENBORG
1-2
PSV Eindhoven
Øyvind Storflor 42
Jefferson Farfán 26
John de Jong 86
Wednesday Oct 20th 2004 20:45 Champions League, Lerkendal stadium
20 950 spectators
Rosenborg [4-3-3] Espen Johnsen – Robbie Russell, Vidar Riseth, Erik Hoftun, Ståle Stensaas - Roar Strand, Jan Gunnar Solli, Fredrik Winsnes - Thorstein Helstad (Daniel Braaten 66), Frode Johnsen (Harald Brattbakk 83), Øyvind Storflor
