Rasmussen's Late Winner Sinks Bryne at Skagerak Arena

Odd beat Bryne 2-1 at Skagerak Arena on Sunday evening. Villads Rasmussen's 84th-minute goal decided a tense promotion clash and gave the hosts a third straight league win. The result lifts Odd to fifth in the table, four points clear of Bryne in sixth.

A Sunday evening decided late

Odd and Bryne went into the game as direct rivals in the promotion race, and they gave a crowd of 2,905 at Skagerak Arena an evening with plenty to talk about. Villads Rasmussen settled it six minutes from the end of normal time, and the hosts took all three points.

Odd's website described it as a third straight win in the league. The result also confirmed that the home side are handling the pressure of a crowded autumn schedule.

Andersen strikes first, Molund replies

Kasper Andersen put Odd in front early on. The goal came in the first ten minutes and Sanel Bojadzic provided the assist, which gave the home supporters the start they wanted.

Bryne did not fold. Just before the break Anders Molund levelled after a pass from David Snær Johannsson, and the sides went into the interval at 1-1.

Missed penalty, then Rasmussen's winner

The second half stayed tight. Andersen had a chance to restore Odd's lead from the penalty spot around the hour mark, but the spot kick did not go in. The game stayed open and Bryne remained a threat.

The breakthrough came in the 84th minute. Rasmussen scored the winner, with Nicholas Kojo credited with the assist. Odd's own match report highlighted that the goals came from two Danish players, Andersen and Rasmussen, and described them as the ones who secured the third consecutive victory in the series.

Manager Per Frandsen had spoken before the game about the team being in an exciting period. He had said he hoped Odd could build on their good form, and the performance and result showed they did.

What it means for the table

The win leaves Odd fifth in the league table on 42 points after 25 matches. Bryne are sixth on 38 points, so Odd now have a four-point cushion over the visitors. Stabæk, in fourth place, have 46 points, which is four ahead of Odd. Kongsvinger and Haugesund lead the table, both on 56 points, with Strømsgodset third on 54.

The result was Odd's second win over Bryne this season, after a 2-1 win away from home in April.

Strømmen next at Skagerak Arena

Odd stay at home for their next match. Strømmen are the visitors to Skagerak Arena on Sunday, 18 October, with kick-off at 5:00 PM. Strømmen are 12th in the table with 27 points from 25 matches. Odd will want to keep their momentum going and stay in touch with the teams ahead of them.

For supporters, the Bryne game showed the value of a strong home crowd at Skagerak Arena at this stage of the season. Everyone at the stadium hopes for a similar atmosphere next Sunday.

Sources: odd.no, flashscore.com