September update
A disappointing month gave us just one victory out of five. We have dropped from first place, but the title is far from out of reach.
Match reports
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Poor performances from Viking and Odd
Viking
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1 - 1
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Odd
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Johnsen (
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67')
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Berisha (
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79')
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Lædre Bjørdal
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Viking had the opportunity to secure their top spot with a victory against Odd who are stuggling in the relegation battle, but niether sides had a good day at work.
It was a game with few chances for both teams. Odd's Frode Johnsen was the first to find the back of the net when he finished a good attack. It was the 39-year old's fourth goal of the season, but it did not gain Odd a victory as Veton Berisha leveled the score 12 minutes later so ensure a point for both teams.
Viking's manager Henrik Steinnes was not pleased after the match. "This was a must-win match that we did not manage to win. It concerns me. A poor display can be crucial in the title race, and it will be a tough end to the season." He was although happy with Veton Berisha's performance. "He did perform well today with another great goal. He is very talented, and will has a great future ahead of him."
Late, but deserved win for Rosenborg
Rosenborg
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2 - 1
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Viking
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Bossut (
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46')
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Anier (
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57')
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Buval (
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90')
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Berntsen
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It was an in-form Rosenborg who faced title contender Viking in an entertainting display at Lerkendal this evening. Rosenborg was the more hungry side and pushed on for a goal throughout the whole first half, but no goals had been scored at the break.
It did not however take long until they scored. Not a minute had been played of the second half when a corner ended up with Viking keeper Sammy Bossut being unlucky to get a clearance on his back and in the net to give Rosenborg the lead. Against the run of play, Henri Anier leveled the match in the 57th minute. Rosenborg had to wait until the 90th minute to get their deserved victory as Bédi Buval parked the Viking defence and scored a great goal.
Henrik Steinnes had this to say after the match: "We did not deserve to win today. It was a poor result, and this will definetly cost us in the end. Rosenborg outplayed us and we couldn't stand a chance. We are on bad form now and something must be done to turn it around."
Brann - Viking, the derby which did not live up to it's expectaions
Brann
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0 - 0
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Viking
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Jonsson
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The Best in West derby has big expectations to be one of the better in long time. Brann and Viking is placed in 1st and 2nd place in the league and everyone was hoping to see a match with two attacking teams. Sadly, the match consisted of two defensive teams with no intentions of searching for a winning goal. Brann manager Rune Skarsfjord felt insulted by the lack of will in the Viking team. "They didn't even want to play football today. Steinnes should be ashamed by the way they played. It's an insult to the beautiful game." Steinnes did not take Skarsfjord's words so seriously. "He is just pissed because he couldn't outsmart me tactically." Their relationship has never been of the best kind, and after today's match, it has not become better.
Johansen gets his first goal in important Viking win
Viking
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3 - 2
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Hønefoss
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Örn Sigurdsson (
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13')
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Lædre Bjørdal (
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26')
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Lafton (
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62')
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Johansen (
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64')
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Anier (
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78')
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Olsen
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Viking got their first win of the month against Hønefoss in an exciting match at Viking stadion. It was Hønefoss and Kristján Örn Sigurdsson that scored first after a well struck set piece after just 13 minutes. Viking got their equaliser in the 26th minute. Johan Lædre Bjørdal scored with a great header from a Trond Olsen corner.
The second half was 17 minutes old when Hønefoss regained the lead with a powerful header from club legend Frode Lafton. Viking responded quicky and put the teams back level just two minutes later. Stefan Johansen scored the first goal of his Viking career with a great strike from just outside the box. Henri Anier got the hounours of securing a Viking victory with twelve minutes left on the clock.
After the match, Viking manager Henrik Steinnes met the press to a post-match press conference. "I'm more relieved than happy with our result today. We definetly needed this win to keep our morals up. It does not help to have a good squad if they aren't motivated to perform well."
10-men Viking with one point as birthday present for Steinnes
Viking
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0 - 0
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Start
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Thioune
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Sigurdsson
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Viking was hoping to give manager Henrik Steinnes three points as a gift on his birthday, but got a more difficult evening than expected. Start defended well through the whole game and did not let Viking to chances. It was maybe a birthday card and not a red card Steinnes wanted from Makhtar Thioune today, but a dreadful tackle ensured an early shower for Thioune.
Steinnes had hoped for a good performance on his birthday, but had to admit they are struggling at the moment. "You can just see our performances this month. Just one win out of five matches is not good enough for a team with our standards." He was also asked about what consequences Thioune's red card will give. "I have fined him and he has accepted it. He was ashamed of himself after the game when I talked to him and he said that he will keep his cool in the future.
League table
We have dropped down to third place, but just two points behind Brann in first place. It is also interesting to see that Sandnes Ulf has got themselves involved in the title race. With just four matches left, this looks like one hell of a thriller end to the season.
Fixtures in October
Sarpsborg 08 - Viking
Viking - Tromsø
There is actually no matches of interest this month, so there will be no Match of the Month review.
Feel free to comment and give feedback :-)
Odd 1 - 3 
Viking
Brann
Hønefoss 0 - 2 
Rosenborg
Start 1 - 0 
Magelie
Sarpsborg 08
Vålerenga
2 - 3 
0 - 0 
Sogndal
3 - 2 
0 - 2 
Sandnes Ulf
Molde
3 - 1 
