StabaekFotball

With the older players back in the line-up, it is one of the youngest that secures the Blues a point in Sandefjord

There was a lot of action at both ends of the field this Sunday, and the Blues can be well satisfied leaving Sandefjord with one point on a day where the flow of the game was not optimal.

The first half was dominated by many scoring opportunities at either end of the field. Stabæk was the most dangerous when threading their way with one touch football through the Sandefjord defense, while the home team put Knutsen to the test with a variety of shots from middle to long distance.

Daniel gets the Blues first chance after a nifty Mix/Veigar combination, put places the ball to the left of Bugge Pettersen’s goalpost.

Sandefjord had obviously seen Knutsen’s blunder in the match against Ukraina, and launches shots from all distances and angles. Jon was keen to show that his miss last Wednesday was a one-time affair – and took care of all comers – until the 36th minute. Olav Zanetti gets a free shot from the edge of the box, and expertly curves the ball outside of Jon’s reach and just on the inside of the post. 1 – 0 to the home team.

But the Blues had not been without their own chances. Bugge Pettersen almost gave away goal when he clears the ball out of the box into the back of Daniel. The ball ends at the feet of Veigar, who unable to finish, passes it on to Hoff who fires away into the legs of a couple of defenders. The ball bounces feebly out to an awaiting Daniel who is unable to place any force behind his finish, and Bugge Pettersen is able to pick up the loose ball. This, and other creative efforts in front of the Sandefjord goal, did not result in any scores.

Thus an aggressive Sandefjord is rewarded for their efforts and takes a fairly well deserved lead into the locker room at half time.

If the first half was rather entertaining – the second half opened with a yawn. Sandefjord was keen on keeping their lead – and securing their second W for the season, and focused on solid defence and counter attacks with one or two players only. Many shots from a distance, but fortunately none with Zanetti’s curve.

Stabæk had possession of the ball, mostly on the Sandefjord side of the field, but they seemed unable to create dangerous situations in front of the Sandefjord goal. In the 57th minute a Hedenstad cross is met by Høiland, but he header is a couple of meters wide. Later Daniel and Veigar combined for one of their legendary attacks, but the attempt was expertly defended by a solid Bugge Pettersen.

But finally, two minutes into overtime, the young players of the team show their mettle. Skjelvik advances from mid field up the left side of the field, fires off a low cross that passes through the entire Sandefjord defense to reach an open Mix, who with one touch fires the ball into the roof of the net. 1 all in front of several hundred members of Stabæk Support.

Call it magic. Call it wonderful. Call it a will to give it all to conquer points inTippeligaen.

And on Wednesday awaits Tønsberg at Telenor Arena for the third round of the cup.

Come and watch the youngster play back again at our home stadium.

See te goal here (Stabæk-TV)

Kampfakta: Sandefjord - Stabæk 1-1

Foto: Johan Stub