Vikings Vs iPlay 4-3
After a one week break the Vikings were back on the Pattana field to face the league leader’s iPlay that had so far not lost a point.
The usual 4-4-2 formation was dropped in favor of a more defensive 4-5-1 formation. A big squad had turned up for this vital game and the starting lineup was: Daniel; Travis, Breitner, Richard, Stein; Mofok, Chris, Martin, Jannik, Lars; Ruj.
Subs: Hallas, Magnus, Mattias, Joacim, Pong, Udom.
From the very beginning Vikings tried to control the game and only after a couple of minutes Ruj was brought down in the penalty area by the iPlay keeper. To everyone’s surprise the referee decided not to award the penalty. In the following minutes Chris had a dangerous header saved and Jannik’s attempt went over the goal from close range. A great start and Vikings were in control until a long ball found one of the iPlay strikers who against the run of play put his side in front. 0-1.
Shortly after, the same thing happened and suddenly iPlay were up 2-0 and left the Vikings wondering what just happened. It could even have been 3-0 but the iPlay player hit his shot wide with only Daniel left to beat.
The Vikings kept on playing and tried hard to find a way back in the game. It turned out to be one of Martin’s long throw-ins that got the Vikings back into it. Chris flicked it on with his head at near post and Jannik could finish it off with a volley. 1-2.
This was as close the Vikings got before the referee called it end of first half but surely a turning point in the game.
Second half again saw the Vikings pressure the iPlay team and with many subs available it was possible to keep the tempo. The equalizer finally came when Ruj’s header that hit the crossbar and then bounced off one of the iPlay defenders and inside the goal. 2-2 and a much deserved comeback.
The Vikings were not ready to settle for a draw though and iPlay did not create anything too dangerous. Ruj was brought down just outside the area and freekick expert Lars stepped up. The keeper could only block the good effort and Martin beat everyone to the rebound and gave Vikings the lead for the first time. 3-2.
Unfortunately Breitner had to step off the field in the first half due to an injury bringing in Hallas and after falling behind iPlay started to pressure for the equalizer. They enjoyed some more possession but could not really turn it into something dangerous. Vikings mostly kept to counter attacks with Ruj and Udom causing the iPlay defenders some headache. Also Lars suddenly displayed Brazilian skills on the left side as he dribbled around a couple of defenders and took a shot from distance.
On one of the dangerous counter attacks Udom came one on one with the iPlay keeper and made no mistake as he dribbled by him and put the ball into the empty net. 4-2 and that seemed to be game over – however iPlay pulled one goal back when a tricky shot sneaked in at the near post.
That was as close as they got since the referee blew the fulltime whistle and Vikings had their second win of the season.
A great comeback victory for the Vikings and with the current form it’s a shame there is now a two weeks break. Man of the match with eleven votes was Chris.
