Nybergsund IL Trysil
Norwegian First Division
October 2021
A disappointing result. We played well but couldn't find the net. More bad news, Strommen won their match. Now we are 4 points back of the playoffs with 3 matches to go. There's no room for error.
In the 83rd minute I put on a third striker on the pitch for the first time in my managerial career and went to a 3-4-3. A stunning volley by Olsen sent the home fans into euphoria. It would be short lived however as we learned Strommen were victorious once again. We're running out of sand in the hour glass of this season. We have dead bottom Tromsdalen at home next. We cannot mess this one up.
We could have scored more, but it wasn't necessary. Tromsdalen never threatened and we won with ease. The more important thing is the scoreboard. Strommon unfortunantly for us, won once again, guaranteeing themselves a playoff spot. However there was an opening with Mjondalen losing away to Sandnes Ulf, 3-1. Mjondalen is now sitting in 6th place, just 3 points clear of us. We are not out of it yet as we hold the goal differential advantage if it comes down to it. They are home against 2nd place Honefoss! We are on the road against 1st place Ull/Kisa. The title is still very much in doubt going into the last weekend and we'll be desperate for a shock win. Two matches that all of Norway will surely be watching.
I decided to go with my 4-5-1 counter tactic. The plan is to keep it scoreless and go for the late smash and grab victory. It may be our only chance against this superior side on their grounds.
The game begins exactly as me and my staff have planned. The first half is uneventful. Not a single clear cut chance was created by either side and my 5-deep midfield has bogged down Ull/Kisa's attack. We'll go into the ssecond half with the same plan, and maybe they'll get desperate. A quick look at the scoreboard is unsettling to us. Mjondalen leads Honefoss 2-1 at halftime. We can't worry about that now and have to just take care of what's in front of us.
15 minutes goes by in the second half. Ull/Kisa has no interest in winning this match. A draw gives them the title. We will have to open up our attack. I decide to shock them with the 3-4-3 we used a few matches ago to grab us a late winner. Erik Skjaestad and Sabah Mukaber come on. The move nearly pays off immediate dividends. A cross comes in front of the left and Mukaber's header smashes off the front of the crossbar. So close. Another clear cut chance gets stuff in the 89th. We cannot get the win and our season is over.
I'm proud of the team to fight til the end but overall I'm extremely disappointed in this season. We should have been better than this. From the effort in the preseason, to our sluggish start, to our miserable 5-match losing streak. Too much complacency. Too much slacking off. There will be changes this offseason.
