240422 Elfsborg’s Arber Zeneli depresses during the soccer match in the Allsvenskan between Elfsborg and Kalmar on April 22, 2024 in Borås. Photo: Jörgen Jarnberger / BILDBYRÅN / COP 112 / JJ0362 Published: 2024-04-22 21:29
Despite a promotion and quick equalizer after the break, IF Elfsborg failed to get any points in the meeting with Kalmar FF at Borås Arena. The guests drew the longest straw and won 1-2.
The beginning of the match was a bit tentative for IF Elfsborg. The team had some ball possession, but a bit of carelessness and mistakes in the passing game meant that they lost a couple of balls in the center of the field and gave the visiting Kalmar FF the opportunity to accelerate forward.
It was also the away team that had the first scoring chance of the match. This after a corner variant where the ball was played to a free player at the penalty area line. A shot with good speed that slipped a bit over Bundgaard’s crossbar.
After the opening, the yellow and black got into it more and were able to take care of the ball for the most part. Besfort Zeneli would have the first chance to score when he made his way into the penalty area on the right. However, a rasping shot was on the wrong side of the near post.
In the 19th minute, IF Elfsborg’s first shot on goal came. Arber Zeneli hit a perfect free-kick which early substitute Buhari Ibrahim met with a header. A joint header that was well saved by the visitors’ goalkeeper out to the corner.
After a good Elfsborg period in the middle of the half, the away team took over command towards the end. It would also work for them. In the 39th minute, 0-1 came after an attack on the right wing. A cross was slotted into the net at the far post as their striker got to the ball just ahead of Bundgaard.
Second half
IF Elfsborg came out strong after the break and showed good energy from the first second. The acknowledgment came already in the 47th minute of the match. Simon Hedlund ran behind the backline and received Noah Söderberg’s lob pass, and the winger was able to place the ball next to the left post. 1-1 right at the start of the second half.
A couple of minutes later came the next goal chance for yellow and black. The aforementioned Noah Söderberg got a shot just outside the penalty area and scored a nice hit. A hard pressed shot was tipped just over the crossbar by the visitors’ goalkeeper.
In the 55th minute of the match, a cold shower came for Di Gule. After the fine start to the half, the visitors would instead take the lead again. A shot found its way right at one of the crosses behind a chanceless Marcus Bundgaard in the goal. 1-2 to Kalmar FF.
The guests played well after their lead goal where they calmly and safely held the ball and forced the Elfsborg players to hunt a lot in the defensive game. With a varied game, the guests were able to alternate between playing through the center of the court and switching from side to side, thereby making it frustrating for the Elfsborg players.
From time to time, however, Elfsborg got a little more control and could conduct more attacking play. But the last pass or the interplay was not quite there and no major scoring chances came. It was close when Simon Hedlund played Arber Zeneli forward, but a defender managed to get between before the finish came.
Towards the end of the match, the yellow and black got pressure towards the away goal. Terry Yegbe tried a couple of long throw-ins, and the team created the occasional corner. But apart from a header just outside and a shot that was blocked, they failed to test the visitors’ goalkeeper.
After four additional minutes, the referee blew for full time and the match ended with Kalmar victory, 1-2.
IF Elfsborg – Kalmar FF 1-2 (0-1)
Starting lineup: Marcus Bundgaard – Johan Larsson, Sebastian Holmén (13′), Terry Yegbe, Niklas Hult – Jens Jakob Thomasen (46′), Andri Baldursson, Besfort Zeneli (46′) – Simon Hedlund, Per Frick (68′), Arber Zeneli ( 74′).
Substitute: Isak Pettersson, André Boman, Buhari Ibrahim (13′), Noah Söderberg (46′), Timothy Ouma, Ahmed Qasem (46′), Camil Jebara, Gottfrid Rapp (74′), Jalal Abdullai (68′).
