Late Hiim stunner gives Sarpsborg 08 dramatic win over Aalesund

Sarpsborg 08 came from behind to beat Aalesund 2-1 at Sarpsborg Stadion on Sunday evening. Substitute Camil Mmaee equalised in the 85th minute, and Anders Hiim struck the winner in stoppage time. The victory lifts the hosts to seventh in Eliteserien.

A slow start in the rain

Sarpsborg Stadion had the kind of Sunday evening that Norwegian football knows well. The rain and wind were out in force when Sarpsborg 08 hosted Aalesund, and the hosts were made to wait for their reward.

Aalesund led after 19 minutes, when Christensen put the visitors in front. That was how it stayed at the break, so Sarpsborg went in at half-time 0-1 down. It was a difficult position for a side that had lost their previous home match 3-0 to Rosenborg on 18 October.

Substitutes turn the game

The change came late. Camil Mmaee levelled in the 85th minute, and the goal gave the blue-and-whites new energy. The home side pushed forward in search of a winner, and the stadium got behind them.

The winner arrived deep into stoppage time. In the 90th minute plus four, Anders Hiim tried his shooting boot and sent the ball into the top corner. The final score was 2-1 to Sarpsborg 08. The club's own match report credited the comeback to the impact of the two substitutes, Mmaee and Hiim.

What it means in the table

The three points matter. Sarpsborg 08 now sit seventh in Eliteserien with 31 points from 24 matches. They are one point clear of KFUM Oslo in eighth. Brann, Vålerenga and Fredrikstad follow on 29 points each.

Aalesund stay 14th with 24 points. They are level on points with Sandefjord and four clear of Kristiansund BK in 15th, who have 20. Start are bottom on 19.

The win also eased the disappointment of the Rosenborg defeat a week earlier. That match finished 0-3, with Rosenborg 2-0 up at half-time. Sunday's late fightback showed a different side of the team in front of the home crowd.

Busy week ahead at the stadium

There is little time to rest. Sarpsborg Stadion hosts Vålerenga on Wednesday 28 October, with kick-off at 6:00 PM. That tie is in the third round of the cup. The stadium is then back in action on Sunday 1 November at 5:00 PM, when Kristiansund BK visit in the league.

That second match could carry extra weight, because Kristiansund are 15th in the table. After the way Sunday's game ended, the home supporters will hope for another strong atmosphere at the stadium.

Sources: sarpsborg08.no, bbc.com