Viking stopped by FFK: – We were immature

Sport: Not since the opening match has Viking won again in the Eliteserien. Nicholas D’Agostino’s header fixed the score against FFK.

Before that, Morten Bjørlo had given the visitors the lead in a fantastic way. In the eighth minute, he intercepted a weak Viking pass, made his way up the pitch and slammed in 0-1 from 20 metres.

Bjørlo’s big hit came a week after he was elbowed by Jeppe Andersen in FFK’s local match against Sarpsborg.

– I couldn’t do it there before the head bang, so maybe he (Andersen) knocked some sense into me, Bjørlo told TV 2 with a smile during the break.

Viking’s equalizer came when D’Agostino towered in the air after 33 minutes and used his forehead to extend a free kick from Zlatko Tripic.

At half-time, the home team’s coach Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim was not satisfied with what he had seen.

– We had too little energy and gave them many set pieces, he told TV 2.

– There is a quiet and disappointed group sitting in the dressing room. We always want to win at home, said Viking captain Tripic Stavanger Aftenblad and continued:

– We started incredibly badly, and we were immature when we conceded the first goal. We had unnecessary breakdowns that made it difficult for us and that gave them energy.

Five out of twelve possible points is the Vikings’ result so far this year. That gives a modest 12th place. FFK have equal catches and are ahead of the Rogalanders on more goals scored.

Cup football is the next task for Viking and FFK. It takes place on Wednesday against NM sensation Torvastad and Eik Tønsberg respectively. Four days later, Odd (b) and Sandefjord (h) await in the series.

In his childhood, the man from Jørpeland cheered for Viking, but on Sunday he contributed to Fredrikstad taking another strong point in the comeback season at the top level.

Aarsheim saw his team push for victory in the 2nd round, but it never came.

(© NTB)