Late Rajkovic Strike Denies Sarpsborg 08 Victory Over Vålerenga
A dramatic 2-2 draw at Sarpsborg Stadion on Saturday left the home faithful frustrated after Vålerenga equalised deep into stoppage time. Sarpsborg 08 FF had twice led the match, with goals from Claus Niyukuri and Petter Strand, only to be pegged back at the death. The result leaves the hosts ninth in the Eliteserien table with 24 points from 19 games.
A Hard-Fought Night at Sarpsborg Stadion
Sarpsborg 08 FF came agonisingly close to claiming all three points at Sarpsborg Stadion on Saturday, only for Vålerenga to snatch a late equaliser deep into stoppage time. Claus Niyukuri opened the scoring in the 28th minute, assisted by Victor Halvorsen, to send the home crowd into good spirits at the 8,022-seat ground.
The hosts held their lead into the second half before Petter Strand extended it to 2-1 in the 80th minute, assisted by Ole Christian Sæter. It looked as though Sarpsborg 08 were on course for a precious three points — but Gabriel Rajkovic had other ideas, converting an Aaron Olsen assist in the second minute of stoppage time to level the match at 2-2.
Possession Battle Won, Points Left Behind
Vålerenga enjoyed the better of the statistics on the night, controlling 59% of possession and racking up 19 shots to Sarpsborg's 10. Despite that dominance on paper, it was the home side who twice held the lead, underscoring how fine the margins were on the night.
Referee Marius Grøtta oversaw the match in front of an attendance of 5,413 — a healthy turnout for a September fixture and a sign of the strong supporter engagement the club has built heading into this critical phase of the season.
Ninth Place and Still Hunting
The result leaves Sarpsborg 08 FF with 24 points from 19 Eliteserien matches, placing them ninth in the table. It was their third draw in their last five league outings — a run that has included two defeats — meaning points on the board have been hard to come by of late.
The focus now shifts away from Sarpsborg Stadion, at least temporarily. Next up is a derby trip to Fredrikstad on 13 September, before the ground comes alive again on 18 September when KFUM Oslo visit for Matchday 22. With the season entering its defining stretch, every home fixture counts.
