The new Vets season saw the Vikings face off against Vets league debutants Gaelic Lions. The Vikings team had recovered from the many post-Viking Cup injuries and was top motivated to get a flying start in the league.

Starting lineup (3-1-4-1-1):

---------------------CJ-------------------
--------Rafa / Stereo / Hax-------
------------------Lasse-----------------
Morten / Just / Crouch / Kalle
----------------Moberg---------------
-----------------Marck-----------------

Bench: Cronaldo, Frandsen, Raven, Buck, Dave, Moeller

As the fighter jets in the sky brought the thunderous sounds the Vikings brought the lightning on the pitch. The first few minutes saw the Vikings pass the ball around slowly approaching the Gaelic box. The ball was passed from the right side all over to the left where Moberg came running and first timed the ball on the crossbar. The ball bounced hard into the ground, just outside the goal line, and got cleared by a defender. Welcome to the Vets league Gaelic Lions.

The Gaelic Lions mostly played with long balls and had decent success in winning headers in the midfield. However, the short pitch meant that the second balls were often too long for their strikers to reach and CJ in goal could pick many easy balls.

The Vikings looked to be the stronger overall team and the high pressure tactics soon paid off. Marck was pressing a defender who made a weak back pass to the keeper. Marck was quick, stole the ball, and put it into an empty net. 1-0 Vikings.

The second goal came after Morten headed a poor goal kick right back towards the Gaelic defense. Marck got to the ball first and served it to Moberg, who first timed it towards goal. The keeper, slightly out of position, saw the ball hit the net behind him and the score line increase to 2-0.

The Vikings subbed after 20 mins with Cronaldo and Moeller fielded. Cronaldo soon found some action as he received a great pass inside the box. The first touch was not optimal and an otherwise great chance was lost.

The Gaelic Lions continued with the long ball tactic but the Viking defense had the antidote ready in headers and pressure on the ball. Last man Stereo reached a loose ball just before the Gaelic striker, who with a small push provoked Stereo to fall over. Unfortunately the fall was bad and resulted in a broken collar bone. Speedy recovery Stereo.

Lasse over the duty of the last man and continued the good job performed by Stereo. Only one long ball was allowed to bounce and Lasse missed the clearance, leaving the striker to run alone towards CJ in goal from the right side of the pitch. CJ applied “confusion tactics” and positioned himself at the left post and the Gaelic striker decided to finish high, but also exactly on CJ who saved the shot. The Vikings could praise themselves lucky to still hold the clean sheet at half time.

Second half started with Gaelic showing good energy and several fast breaks from both wings. Still, the Vikings midfield and defense was good at breaking the game and passing their way out of danger.

Moeller was fishing, onside, in the Gaelic box waiting for a pass. He received the ball and on the way away from goal he was fouled from behind in a rather clumsy move by the defender. Penalty. Moeller stepped up and placed the ball the only place he knows where to place it… drumroll… high in the right side. Goal, 3-0 for the Vikings.

Gaelic did lots of subbing, including bringing the keeper up in front, and this they probably should have done sooner. The big man made a big impact on the game with his physical presence. The big man was also allowed to break free on the right wing. With Viking defenders trailing he made a shot/pass towards the left side of the goal and CJ, quite remarkably, did nothing to prevent the ball from hitting the far post. “My foot was stuck in the grass” he explained after the game. Just for the record, the game was played on 0.5cm astro turf. Anyway, the ball bounced back out into play and a Gaelic striker pushed it the last bit over the line. Perhaps a small offside but it was not called. 3-1 and the game was on. Against all odds Rafa raised his hand and admitted the goal against was probably his. Big respect Rafa.

With the goal against the Vikings picked up the pace, while Gaelic seemed not quite able to keep up. There was lots of space between the Gaelic players and Moberg received a defense splitting pass from Kalle. Moberg could run alone towards goal and undisturbed by the offside objections he scored the 4-1 goal.

Soon after the final whistle sounded and the Vikings secured the first three points of the season

Thanks to Gaelic for a competitive game.

MOM:
5 votes: Moberg / Marck