Viking - Rosenborg 2-0
By Håvard Lindheim, 5 April 2005, 12:40
An impressive attendance of 6000 in Stavanger saw their home team in complete control against Rosenborg this final test before the league starts next sunday.
DEFEAT: Rosenborg lost, well deserved, at the impressive Viking stadium tonight.
Little did it help Rosenborg to get six internationals back and ready from the start; Viking were decidedly the better team tonight. The experienced Roy Hodgson really has gotten the westeners into shape, and defensively they were in full control throughout the game. A toothless RBK seldom had a finishing attack, and what little there were, mostly consisted of weak headings.
Instead, Peter Kovacs lead the home team into the lead after half an hour had passed. Espen Johnsen got a hand on the heading from the 2 meter tall Hungarian forward, but couldn't prevent the score.
Afterwards, Jørgen Tengesdal had a dangerous shot from long distance, which hit the post, while Johnsen had to bring forth a save of utmost quality on a Kovacs shot from close range.
After the break, Viking pulled back - a move which gave RBK even less space. The second half turned out to be a more or less boring affair, but Trygve Nygaard gave the home audience value for the money just before time: From 25 meters he hammered away a volley shot that hit the upper corner of the goalpost. A worthy candidate for Goal of the Year - even before the league starts!
Per Joar Hansen saw no reason to excuse his disciples after the game:
"Viking gained a deserved victory, and we weren't good enough. The team didn't seem to be ready for this game, and were tame, both offensively and defensively. The quality of the passes was too poor as well. The team just can't approve their efforts today," Perry stated to Western Norwegian daily Stavanger Aftenblad.
Let us hope, then, that the weak final test leads to a great premiere against Aalesund on Sunday ...
