Rosenborg - Fredrikstad 1-0
By Endre Bakken, 4 May 2009, 19:24
After a good first half RBK collapsed. It got exciting, but ended in victory.
THE GAME IS DECIDED: Rade Prica slides in 1-0 in a duel with Vidar Martinsen.
Photo: Thomas Karlsen
"We got three points, and that is what's most important. I thought we were the best team. Fredrikstad made some attempts, but did not succeed in creating chances. It was a fair result even though this wasn't a good game from our point of view," Rade Prica said.
He scored the only goal of the match after 14 minutes following a cross from Mikael Lustig.
"It was wonderful. I got a perfect pass from Micke, and I only had to put the foot out, the Swede said, who, after a slow start, has scored four goals in four games.
Steffen Iversen should have increased the lead a few minutes later, but he shot straight at the goalie after recieving a heading pass by Alexander Tettey.
Then it got dramatic when a free-kick goal by Marek Sapara was annulled because Vadim Demidov had disturbed the game while in offside, even though he did not touch the ball. The RBK players did not catch the annullment, and celebrated by the corner flag while Fredrikstad attacked. Luckily FFK also ran straight into offside.
Rosenborg were in control defensively through the whole game. Kris Stadsgaard played his first match since October, when he injured his knee. With excellent involvements he showed why he is back on the team.
Attackwise it went downhill after half-time. Perhaps injuries will have to take some of the blame. Per Ciljan Skjelbred got a concussion and busted his eardrum after a duel with Raio Piiroja, and will probably miss the Lyn game Wednesday. In addition Sapara injured his ancle during warm-up, and had to walk off early.
The rythm in the attacks disappeared, and a shot/pass by Trond Olsen from a dead angle was RBK's biggest opportunity after half time. RBK's level had dropped to that in the games against Brann and Odd.
"We should have played the ball around more, like in the first half, then Fredrikstad would have had to run a bit more, but we were unable to. I don't know if we got too nervous or not. We were supposed to be higher up on the pitch, but we were all so tired that we weren't able to," Stadsgaard concluded.
RBK regained the title as league leader after Molde had borrowed it since Saturday, when they won 2-0 in Ålesund.
Match statistics
ROSENBORG
1-0
Fredrikstad
Rade Prica 14
Sunday 3. May 2009 20:00 Tippeliga, Lerkendal stadion
15 520 attendants
Rosenborg [4-2-3-1] Rune Jarstein - Mikael Lustig, Kris Stadsgaard (Alejandro Lago 87), Vadim Demidov, Mikael Dorsin - Anthony Annan, Alexander Tettey - Per Ciljan Skjelbred (Roar Strand 46), Marek Sapara (Trond Olsen 64), Rade Prica - Steffen Iversen
Yellow cards RBK: Anthony Annan and Alejandro Lago
