There are still 11 games left for both Bodø/Glimt and Viking so nothing is decided, but three points will be very difficult to make up for from a club that does not give up points.
Fredrikstad was furious after a cancelled goal against Bodø/Glimt. Now VAR chief Svein Oddvar Moen acknowledges that the situation should probably have been judged differently – but too late for FFK. At the same time, newly acquired Henrik Bjørdal saved an overtime point for Viking against Sandefjord.
Read: The desire of the world’s best manager threatens Barcelona’s plans
On our Live service, you can follow football matches from all over the world.
It was an eventful Friday in the elite series – marked by VAR drama, a red card, a crossbar and a late equaliser that gave Viking one point in Sandefjord. – At the same time, Aalesund won against Start at home and climbed to the qualifying place.
However, the situation attracted the most attention in the clash between Fredrikstad and Bodø/Glimt, where the home team felt thoroughly cheated.
“Looks like onside,” admits the VAR boss
The situation arose when Henrik Skogvold put the ball in the goal to make it 2-1 for Fredrikstad. However, the referee waved offside, and the score was annulled. The TV images showed that there was a Glimt player inside the FFK striker when the ball went through – which would probably have kept Skogvold onside.
Now VAR chief Svein Oddvar Moen admits to TV 2 that the decision was probably wrong.
“Yesterday, unfortunately, the cameras we could use were far too close to the game. In the pictures we have seen afterwards, it looks like it is onside. We agree with that. But we cannot change anything based on gut feeling. We have to be sure,” says Moen.
He emphasizes that VAR had no role in this particular situation, as they did not get good enough images to review the linesman’s decision.
“It is important to clarify that it is not VAR that changes a decision here, it is the assistant referee who waves offside. Unfortunately, we do not have TV images that can prove that the decision is wrong,” says Moen.
Skogvold raged after the match
Henrik Skogvold was both frustrated and dejected when he spoke to TV 2 after the game.
“I think it’s shocking. It’s human to make mistakes, but being so confident is perhaps a little provocative. What I’ve received from information is that it’s clearly onside,” said a clearly annoyed Skogvold.
Bodø/Glimt eventually won the game 2-1 – and thus climbed to the top of the table. For Fredrikstad, the legacy remains as a taste of modest points and a feeling that they were deprived of an important point.
Viking saved themselves in overtime against Sandefjord
While the drama unfolded in Fredrikstad, there was also full tension in Sandefjord – where Viking had a nightmare start to the match.
First, Peter Christiansen’s goal was annulled for offside in the first half. Shortly after the break, stopper Jesper Daland received a direct red card, and Viking had to play over half an hour with one man less.
Sandefjord took advantage of the advantage when Tobias Børkeeiet headed in 1-0 after just over an hour played. A short time later, however, Viking got a golden chance to equalize from the penalty spot – but captain Zlatko Tripic sent the ball into the crossbar.
But in overtime, the rescue came. Henrik Bjørdal – newly signed for Viking – appeared and made it 1-1, which gave the reigning league champions one point in a game that for a long time seemed to slip away from them.
Glimt strengthens grip on the lead
Bodø/Glimt’s win against Fredrikstad means that they are now three points ahead of Viking at the top of the elite series.
Sandefjord, on the other hand, can take home undefeated in their last three games – and one point against the league champions is a result they are surely happy with, despite the disappointment of losing the win in overtime.
Fredrikstad is left with one point – and a feeling that they should have had three.
Aalesund secured their first Eliteserien win in 107 days when Start was beaten 2-0 at home – a long-awaited triumph for Kjetil Rekdal and his crew.
