1 of 6Photo: Christoffer Andersen / NTB
VALLE (VG) (YMCA-Viking 0–5) Reigning Norwegian champion Viking is approaching a new final after a very eventful showdown against YMCA.
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– It is the cup final we want to go for. We are clearly the best. At the same time, I think that sometimes we are not so good, but then we win 5-0. So it’s a weird feeling, says two-goal scorer Veton Berisha to VG.
Two more beautiful long shots by substitute Niklas Sandberg and a simple online acquaintance for Kevin Kabran were the highlights of the Vikings’ goal celebration against the team from the Obos league, which sends the Stavanger club to the semifinals in the NC.
– We are losing heavily. We are not involved from the start. We concede two easy goals and lose deservedly 5-0, says Bilal Njie to VG.
The match at Vålerenga’s rented large room Intility Arena was intense and at times dramatic. At the position 2-0 to Viking early in the second half, a chaotic situation arose for referee Sigurd Kringstad. After a tough duel between YMCA striker Bilal Njie and Viking back Sondre Bjørshol, several players became involved in a scuffle.
First, the Vikings Kabran went to the ground after pushing with the said Njie. Then several players came running to the situation. Suddenly, YMCA player Simen Hestnes was lying on the artificial turf after a push from national team striker Berisha.
– It’s a real fight down there, commented NRK’s Christian Nilssen.
– That’s football. There should be some pushing. We should have done it from the start for Viking pushing and winning most 50-50 duels. It’s sad that we start too late, says Njie.
– The ignition level is far beyond reason from both teams’ players, said NRK expert Carl-Erik Torp.
After several minutes of heated discussions and riots, Kringstad handed out yellow cards to Njie, Kabran and Berisha.
– It’s a quarterfinal. There are many emotions and a lot at stake, says Viking coach Morten Jensen to the state channel.
– That’s how it should be, says YMCA coach Jørgen Isnes.
–The quarrel arose after Viking had only spent 101 seconds taking the lead in the capital. Zlatko Tripic first found Kristoffer Løkberg in the field. Trøndelag headed the ball smartly down to Veton Berisha, who in one touch hammered it down in the farthest corner for YMCA goalkeeper Jonas Brauti.
The YMCA was shaken. And midway through the round, Tripic and Løkberg combined again before Kevin Kabran had to end a quick attack in the open goal to 2-0.
Eventually, the home team got better into the match, but in the end, YMCA coach Jørgen Isnes described it as “embarrassing”.
Berisha increased to 3-0 with an ice-cold goal alone with Brauti before substitute Sandberg turned the ball in the longest corner twice in a row right at the back.
Viking is still the reigning cup champion from 2019 after the NM was canceled in 2020 due to the corona pandemic. The Stavanger club is now ready for the semi-finals of the 2021 edition, which started with preliminary rounds last summer and will be decided next month. The semifinals will be played on April 6.
The final will be held at Ullevaal Stadium on Saturday 30 April.
These are the weekend’s other quarter finals in the ongoing 2021 championship:
Sandnes Ulf-Strømsgodset (Saturday), Molde-Sarpsborg 08 (Sunday), Bodø / Glimt-Lillestrøm (Sunday).
