ASPMYRA/OSLO (Nettavisen): Football Norway has held its breath for a week, after Bodø/Glimt’s impressive performance in Amsterdam against Ajax.
The hosts were the leading team at Aspmyra for a long time, but after two red cards and two debatable VAR decisions, the match went to extra time. An unfortunate intervention from Glimt goalkeeper Kjetil Haug five minutes before full time ensured that the away team ran away with the victory.
With that, it is Ajax who advances in the Conference League, at the expense of the reigning Norwegian champions.
– It ends up being very frustrating for us, considering how much we created. Right now it’s very difficult, but at the same time gratifying that we manage to dominate so much against such a good team, admits Patrick Berg to Nettavisen after the match.
Pål Andre Helland referred to it as “typically Norwegian” in the Viaplay studio after the match. Håkon Evjen doesn’t want to hear any of that:
– I would like to disagree. I think it is simply because we are not good enough in the final phase today, says a disappointed Evjen to Nettavisen after the match.
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The second half had an intense start, when Josip Sutalo was first sent off with a red card after bringing down Håkon Evjen alone with the goalkeeper.
Seconds later, Ajax saved an Albert Grønbæk heel flick on the line. But it didn’t work out there.
Soon after, Patrick Berg kicked a ball into Borna Sosa’s hand and the “entire” Aspmyra shouted on their hands.
But after the second VAR check of the evening, the decision to give goalkeeper Diant Ramaj a free kick was at the forefront of the situation.
– It’s cheap! This is just nonsense to blow a free kick on, it came from a ready Skullerud.
Bodø/Glimt coach Kjetil Knutsen was anything but impressed with the referee when he spoke to Viaplay out on the pitch after the match.
– That you are able to award a free kick to the goalkeeper in that situation is simply unimaginable! How is it possible to judge attacks on the goalkeeper in that situation. It should have been a red card, and Ajax should have been reduced to nine men, says Knutsen.
At the press conference, Knutsen was confronted with Helland’s statement in the studio after the Glimt manager’s first statements. The former RBK and LSK player thought it was risky for Knutsen to “conspire” in the referee’s decision.
That made Knutsen turn on all the plugs.
– It’s not a conspiracy! I ask a question. It’s probably not the first time that smaller clubs get a little less than bigger clubs, says Knutsen.
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Absurd waste of a chance
Steven Berghuis sent the visitors into the lead, but in the second half it was a complete boil at Aspmyra.
After two red cards and a fierce Glimt drive, it was finally to succeed for the hosts.
Patrick Berg was the man who knocked in 1-1 with five minutes left on the clock.
– Another Berg was needed, of course! When it comes down to it, he stands out, exclaimed Viaplay’s Andreas Toft.
The match went to extra time, and there Bodø/Glimt had the all-time opportunity to go up in the lead.
Patrick Berg found Nino Zugelj alone with the goalkeeper, the Slovenian passed the goalkeeper but slid the ball over the open goal.
– No and no. He will never forget that miss, it came from Toft.
The first extra period ended goalless, where Bodø/Glimt were clearly the closest to scoring.
A few minutes before the end of the second half, however, it was Ajax who took the 2-1 lead, when Kenneth Taylor patched in what looked like a cross from distance.
– Of course he will take that one, Kjetil Haug. That is a conclusion from a team Kjetil Haug must have control over. It’s so marginal it’s almost crazy. Quite simply, it hurts, is Tor Ole Skullerud’s clear verdict.
– No goalkeeper error
Kjetil Haug spoke to Nettavisen after the match, and did not completely agree with the experts regarding the decisive goal for Ajax.
– I haven’t seen it on video, but I disagree that it is a goalkeeping mistake. That it’s a shot I can take, I can agree to. My thought is that there is a post/shot that gets a bit nasty, it also goes in, he says.
A few seconds before the fateful late goal, the Haldenner had a class save on Chuba Akpom’s shot alone with the goalkeeper. But it was quickly forgotten after the Ajax score soon after.
– It is a part of life that keeps it. You can make a great save and be the hero, before seconds later you become the scapegoat. People are happy to say that it is the one that will be decisive today, but also had enough chances ahead on the course to decide this for themselves.
Grønbæk got red
After complete Glimt dominance, everything changed, when Albert Grønbæk was late in a duel and earned his second yellow card.
– It is within reason to give the yellow card, because he stamps the Ajax player on the foot there. It feels very unnecessary that Bodø/Glimt has been reduced to ten men.
The Dane received his first yellow card by dropping a ball, which hit Ajax star Berghuis on the shoulder. Before the second yellow card came for the stamping.
As the TV images of Grønbæk’s first yellow card roll across the screen, Skullerud almost does not believe what he sees.
– It is brutally harshly judged. I didn’t quite catch the first yellow, but if it’s him dropping the ball on Berghuis’ shoulder, it’s just ridiculous.
Honored Hamoud
In the 11th minute of the game, it was the scenes in the stands that made most of the hairs on the bodies of those present at Aspmyra stand up.
Because, as announced, the Bodø/Glimt fans started a great tribute to the late Mounir Hamoud.
Also read: The football buddies about Hamoud: – He wished everyone around him well
The former Glimt player passed away unexpectedly earlier this month.
Hamoud was also honored by the club before the match, with a minute’s applause and black mourning bands around the players’ left arms.
He played for the yellow-clad from 2006 to 2011, ending up with over 150 games for the club.