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| Viking joy after double last-gasp dramas |
It was one of the most memorable of weeks for Viking South Utsira, who clinched the playoff slot in Division 2b this Tuesday then a place in Division 1 next season for the first time ever after some spectacular late drama on Thursday -- not just once, but an improbable twice in one match.
A three-goal blast from veterans Magda Fevereiro, Lurdes Quental and Manuças Fudida put the Utsirans on their way against Van Helsings GLS at Ragnar Rock on Tuesday, captain Fevereiro settling nerves with an early strike from Fudida's pass before Quental rattled in a trademark freekick in the 34th minute for the 156th goal of her career. True to form, longtime colleague Fudida promptly reasserted her supremacy in the club's all-time scoring charts, heading in Asta Austrheim's cross ten minutes into the second half to extend her record mark to 160.
Then things threatened to come unstuck, as young goalkeeper Monike Austrheim was beaten by a shot from Van Helsings' striker Joana Alkuaz, and the latter further reduced the deficit with a 72nd-minute penalty. With leaders Mighty Aphrodite meanwhile ending the title race with two goals against The Liver FC, Viking could be content to coast to the finish however in the knowledge that they were out of reach of the latter, and the final whistle both confirmed their participation in the Xpert Ladies playoffs for a third straight season and also their valiant opponents' relegation by two points.
The big clash at pitch #9 of the Xpert Arena stadium-city megacomplex two days later pitted Viking against Division 2d runners-up Barbed Barbies in a very evenly-matched looking collision. Despite the huge untimely loss of key defender Loba Deparvada to the first major injury of her 13-season career late in the first half, the Norsewomen seemed to be edging the tactical battle against the Irish side and had the better of the attempts on goal, yet the goalkeeping prowess of the superb Beyan Eufrat repelled all their efforts.
Then with just seven minutes to go disaster struck, as Barbies striker Sue Gerdase's fizzing long-range effort beat Julie Alme to put them firmly in the box seat for Division 1 qualification. Yet the Blood Eagles refused to have their wings clipped at this late stage, and even after the 90th minute had come and gone they were still pushing -- and in stoppage time they prolonged the tie by 30 minutes when substitute Emilie Klovning rose highest to head home Birgit Austrheim's last-ditch corner kick.
Extra time could not separate the sides, however, and with the thirtieth minute ticking down it looked like the imperious Eufrat would surely be winning the match for her side in the inevitable shootout. But then, again, incredible late late drama hit. With South Utsira manager Velvet Android already attempting to finalise his list of penalty takers, Bergljot Kvalvik got down the right wing and whipped in one last speculative centre -- and Birgit Austrheim put her body on the line, flinging herself headfirst at the cross amid a mass of bodies clustered around the penalty spot to power a stunning diving header past Eufrat's left hand and snatch an unbelievable Viking victory with the very last act of the season.
Having only just finished their maiden campaign in Division 2, next time out will therefore see the Blood Eagles spend their 47th season of existence at another brand new high as, scarcely credibly, they make their bow in Division 1.
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