240303 Elfsborg’s Niklas Hult and Degerfors’ Adi Fisic during the football match in the Swedish Cup between Elfsborg and Degerfors on March 3, 2024 in Borås. Photo: Jörgen Jarnberger / BILDBYRÅN / COP 112 / JJ0344 Published: 2024-03-03 15:28, Updated 2024-03-03 21:30
Two quick goals from Simon Hedlund were not enough when IF Elfsborg drew 2-2 against Degerfors IF. A late goal from the visitors means that the cup game is over for the yellow and black part for this time.
Already after two minutes came the match’s first scoring chance. It was the visitors who got it after being awarded an early corner. The visitors’ player came highest and nodded, but a bit outside Isak Pettersson’s post.
In addition to the early chance, it was IF Elfsborg who had the baton during the beginning of the match. The team had a lot of ball possession and played in the offensive half of the field against a low standing Degerfors team. Michael Baidoo got a chance with his head after a nice cross from Gottfrid Rapp. The visitors’ goalkeeper was able to save without problem.
Little out of nowhere then 0-1 came to the guests. Degerfors IF attacked on the right side and hit a cross against the far post. On a header, the away player poked the ball into the net in the 15th minute of the match.
After the goal, it was once again IF Elfsborg who took hold of the match picture. The yellow and black often attacked along the left side with Niklas Hult and Simon Hedlund and looked for input against teammates. After 22 minutes played, Jens found Jakob Thomasen with a nice cross towards Jalal Abdullai. The striker shot directly, but the goalkeeper got the ball under him and was able to save.
There were otherwise few scoring chances in the first half. Jalal Abdullai managed to get another shot, and Michael Baidoo was close to tapping home the rebound. But the visitors’ defense worked hard and kept IFE away from the most dangerous surfaces.
Towards the end of the half, the tempo slowed down a bit. IF Elfsborg continued to have most of the ball possession, but Degerfors IF resisted with their five-back line. Johan Larsson sneaked into the offensive penalty area just before half-time and nodded Niklas Hult’s cross – just outside.
Second half
IF Elfsborg came out to the second half with good energy and were lively going forward. Camil Jebara and Besfort Zeneli were substituted at the start of the second half and contributed with a willingness to run and were active around the visitors’ penalty area.
In the 54th minute, a Degerfors player received his second yellow card and was thus down to ten men for the remainder of the match.
With a man more, the pressure increased even more from Di Gule and it would pay off. In the 64th minute, the equalizer came through Simon Hedlund. The winger met a cross nicely with his forehead and distinctly headed the ball into the goal. 1-1!
Shortly afterwards, already in the 66th minute, the same Hedlund was again in front. From a position in the center of the penalty area, he poked the ball into the net and IF Elfsborg had turned the game around. 2-1!
After the goals, yellow and black continued to play good attacking football and were the team that completely controlled the game. The visitors had the most to fight back in the following quarter after the goals.
Towards the end, the away team made a rally to get ahead. The team got into some occasional post positions, but the yellow and black defense took away the plays. It also gave room for adjustments. Like when Noah Söderberg broke free and pushed forward centrally in the pitch in the 82nd minute. The midfielder angled the ball out to Jalal Abdullai on the right who sped towards the goal. The ending was hard, but unfortunately over.
In added time, the visitors pushed with everything they had and they would receive a receipt. With 90+2 on the clock, a cross was hit which was headed and the ball found its way in at the far post.
A 2-2 draw means that IF Elfsborg are eliminated from the Swedish Cup and the team has to reload to be ready for the Allsvenskan premiere against IFK Värnamo on April 1.
IF Elfsborg – Degerfors IF 2-2 (0-1)
Starting lineup: Isak Pettersson – Johan Larsson, Sebastian Holmén, Buhari Ibrahim, Niklas Hult – Jens Jakob Thomasen (90′), Andri Baldursson (46′), Michael Baidoo – Simon Hedlund (83′), Jalal Abdullai, Gottfrid Rapp (46′).
Substitute: Melker Uppenberg, André Boman (83′), Maudo Jarjué, Rami Kaib, Noah Söderberg (72′), Besfort Zeneli (46′, 72′), Timothy Ouma, Camil Jebara (46′), Dion Krasniqi (90′).
