It was top to bottom in Bodø when the home team Glimt went for their fourth straight win in the season opening against Sarpsborg, who were without points after three games. Nevertheless, it was not the crossing many had foreseen in advance.
For Sarpsborg, without any of his creative powers, he started from the start and managed with a solid defense to keep away from Bodø / Glimt’s explosive attack early in the match.
Then goalkeeper David Mitov Nilsson lost out. Sarpsborg’s goalkeeper missed a post and was penalized by Jens Petter Hauge and Bodø / Glimt.
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Sarpsborg also got a count when substitutes Ole Jørgen Halvorsen equalized eight minutes after he came in for right-back Sulayman Bojang for a break.
Still, it was not enough to stop Bodø / Glimts victory. Shortly thereafter, Fredrik Bjørkan got the ball to Ulrik Saltnes in the box. He secured the victory for Glimt who controlled virtually the entire match.
Glimt brings with it another victory and is still leading the Elite series in front of Molde, who also stands in full pot. Sarpsborg almost managed to get a strong point, but had to go home empty-handed.
Defensive approach
Mikael Stahr’s game plan was ready, Sarpsborg was to curb Bodø / Glimt who had scored 13 goals in their first three games and take care of the few opportunities they got.
It worked for half an hour where Glimt steered the game without creating anything special, but instead it was the home team that took care of the opportunity when Mitov Nilsson lost a post right in the feet of Kasper Junker.
Glimt’s top scorer responded quickly and played the ball back to a straight forward Jens Petter Hauge, who could easily set his third goal of the season.
Sarpsborg continued to be deep, but switched at the break where right-back Sulayman Bojang was replaced by attacking player Ole Jørgen Halvorsen pointing to a more offensive pass in the second half.
Offensive exchange paid off
For Halvorsen, just under ten minutes spent making a difference. A corner from the precise foot of Anton Saletros ended on the back post and after a weak clearance Halvorsen shot at the first opportunity. The ball sneaked into the back post via a Bodø / Glimt leg and the teams were just as far.
But the result did not last long, because after 58 minutes Glimt had put the ball behind Mitov Nilsson once again. This time, the keeper could not be blamed, for the ten meter shot was well placed enough to roll in on the back post.
Glimt was close to adding 3-1 to Philip Zinckernagel just before an hour was played, but with a tiger jump at the right time, Mitov Nilsson prevented a back goal.
Saletros’s dead football went back into the game when Sarpsborg had a chance after 73 minutes, but Jørgen Horn’s header was tipped over the bar.
Then Glimt could finally cheer for three new points.
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