Sandnes Ulf 0 Stromsgodset 4

NM Cup 2021 Quarter Finals, Saturday 19th March

My final evening in Norway for this trip saw me back at The Oster Hus Arena in Sandnes, and saw a brace from Kreshnik Krasniqi help see Eliteserien visitors Stromsgodset into the Semi Finals of the NM Cup 2021, ending the First Division hosts historic run in the process.

Sandnes Ulf had seen off fellow first division side Start in last weekend's Last 16 tie at Oster Hus Arena (here is my blog on that game (http://pedroslocalfootiefix.blogspot.com/2022/03/sandnes-ulf-2-ik-start-0.html) to set up a home Quarter Final against a Stromsgodset side who almost came a cropper against another First Division side in the shape of Raufoss in the Last 16, edging through 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Raufoss Storhall.

Ulf therefore could look to this game and see that their Eliteserien visitors could be got at if things went right for them, so an ideal start was necessary if they were to have any chance of an upset and continue their historic run, however with just three minutes on the clock their game plan was out of the window as Krasniqi was left totally unmarked to volley home and hand the favourites an early advantage.

To Ulf's credit they were the better side thereafter for the remainder of the half, but despite creating several decent openings could not really test visiting keeper Saetra, but the hosts knew they were still well in this tie at the break, and probably felt they should have been at least level, so it was imperative that the hosts started the second half well and grab the next goal, but sadly this was not to happen for them.

This is because just like the first half Godset netted an early goal in the period to give the hosts a mountain to climb after a lovely sweeping move ended with Krasniqi firing home inside Falch's near post and seeing him and the rest of his teammates run over to the 50-100 Godset fans who had travelled from Drammen for this one, they were now in a more comfortable position with a two goal cushion.

And five minutes later, just before the hour mark in fact, the game was a good as over after the home defence backed off and backed off and allowed Tobias Fjeld Gulliksen to let fly from twenty yards out, and his effort flew past Falch and into the net and Godset were now three goals to the good and pretty much out of sight.

This made for the game to become like a pre season game, Ulf had no chance of getting back from this position, whilst Godset just passed the ball around between them when they did have the ball, both sides league campaigns begin in two weeks, whilst Godset obviously have a semi final to compete in next weekend.

Frustrations were getting the better of some, Ulf striker Tommy Hoiland was booked for leaving his mark on an opponent, whilst pacey winger Sander Finjord Ringberg was also booked for a stupid challenge, I turned to my brother and said that they need to take Ringberg off before he gets sent off, and low and behold three minutes after his first booking, he pulled back Fred Friday and was shown a second yellow, so needless and it summed up the hosts evening.

The hosts kept going though but were caught out with seven minutes to go when a slip at the back allowed Lars-Jorgen Salvesen to run in at goal, and although the defender got back to try and stop him, a wonderful turn inside and finish beyond Falch saw a fourth goal added by the visitors, and he ran over to celebrate with his adoring fans who had by now let off a flare in celebration.

The scoreline certainly flattered Godset who did not outplay their opponents like the score may suggest, but they were just far more clinical in front of goal when the chances came, which is normally what separates the top sides from the rest, it certainly did here that's for sure, but it's a job well done for Godset who take their place in the semi finals.

For Ulf it's a disappointing evening, and the majority of the 3,029 crowd would have gone home sad but also proud of their team who reached the Quarter Finals for the very first time, time now to turn their attentions to their huge opening league game against local rivals Bryne at home, these two cup games would have been very useful for their warm up to the new season that's for sure.

Full time Sandnes Ulf 0 Stromsgodset 4