Elfsborg looked to have a comfortable opening match when Simon Hedlund scored 2-0 against Värnamo after just under half an hour, a half hour in which Elfsborg were completely superior and did little as they wanted.
– It is a deplorable defensive game. We must not allow such extreme situations. It is Viktor Andersson, our goalie, who keeps us in the match, said Värnamos’ Simon Thern to Discovery + in a break interview.
The 3-2 goal disallowed
But after a thunderbolt from Wenderson – who struck a delicious shot from around 25 which went in – and then another goal from Ajdin Zeljkovic, the home side’s lead was all but blown away.
See the goal in the clip above
After just over an hour of play, Jalal Abdulai probably thought he had given Elfsborg the lead again, but the referee instead chose to give the visitors a free kick.
“Under all criticism”
Värnamo continued to press, and at times was close to a lead goal, but the tie stood the match. The match ended 2–2 and there was a shared pot for the teams at Borås’ arena in the premiere.
– A point here at the Borås arena is acceptable considering how we started the match. It’s under all the criticism in the first half, it’s not good at all. But in the second half we improve a lot, so it’s a bit mixed feelings, but we’re obviously happy with a pin here, says Ajdin Zeljkovic to Discovery +.
Elfsborg coach Jimmy Thelin was not as pleased with the second half.
– Of course, 2-0 at home in front of this crowd in a home opener is always tough to lose, and you feel disappointed right now, he said.
