YMCA with chance bonanza: Saved in the end

– The chances have been so great that the players have to believe in higher powers than Jesus to score, reported TV 2 expert Yaw Amankwah when YMCA pushed with everything in the second half.

The Oslo edition of Kristelig Forening for Unge Menn got most of it right. In the 2nd half, HamKam was pressed almost in the East Block on Intility.

The score was missing. HamKam goalkeeper Marcus Sandberg had saved everything.

But in the end, Petter Nosa Dahl scored a great goal for YMCA.

The ball sat right in the crossbar behind a chanceless Sandberg. The jubilation among the 4,018 spectators – minus the HamKam supporters – was enormous.

– It was really nice to get that goal. Damn it, the home hero reported spontaneously on TV 2. Perhaps not quite perfect YMCA language, but a perfect score.

YMCA’s arena at Ekebergsletta is not yet ready. Ironically enough, the district club’s debut took place at the stadium of relegated Vålerenga – with 60 seasons and 1,400 matches at the top level.

A historic evening. For the first time in 69 years, a club from the capital makes its debut at the top level of Norwegian football (Frigg was the previous one in 1955).

It took six minutes before Sverre Sandal swept away YMCA’s first shot on goal. HamKam goalkeeper Marcus Sandberg made a controlled save.

Five minutes later, the home team lost control in the back rows. It is from one’s own that one must have it.

• 0–1: A long play was headed on by Tore André Sørås (ex YMCA). And there was former YMCA striker Moses Mawa. In full fours, he controlled a – beautifully executed – lob into the goal.

Yet HamKam at its most typical.

– Cash and live football, commented TV 2’s Yaw Amankwah.

YMCA captain Robin Rasch was about as close to scoring as Vidar Ari Jónsson was immediately afterwards for HamKam.

“Kåffa-Kamma” swung by already after quarter time.

Some thought that Simen Hestnes squeezed in the Oslo club’s first goal after 24 minutes. The supporters’ club “Profetene” cheered, but the ball had been in the hands of Hestnes.

Nor did HamKam’s John Olav Norheim get an approved score. Referee Mohamed Usman blew again – for attacking the goalkeeper.

Petter Nosa Dahl was close to scoring after a HamKam error by Vegard Kongsro. But goalkeeper Sandberg was still good while the evening sun sank behind a windy Intility.

– I think we have been good, said YMCA’s injured star, Haitam Aleesami, halfway through.

– I am not satisfied, said HamKam coach Jakob Michelsen. The Dane thought the All Greens were too passive.

He got a more aggressive version after the break. It took a quarter of an hour before the YMCA got started with the game on small surfaces. But Sverre Sandal did not hit with the finish, set up by Robin Rasch, Amin Nouri and Petter Nosa Dahl.

The home team needed more punch. Mame Ndiaye and David Hickson came on.

Ndiaye got a great chance. But Marcus Sandberg was still in place. The Swede delivered a class save. Nor did Remi Svindland hit when he had the chance.

– So far too poor quality of the endings, commented Yaw Amankwah.

Ndiaya missed another great chance

But in the end, salvation came right after the end of Easter.