RECAP: WEEKEND SWEDISH ACTION Arch Bell - Monday, August 17, 2009
Alejandro Bedoya and Orebro shut down Djurgarden in the Allsvenskan while Ljungskile USA picked up some breathing room from the relegation zone in Superettan action.
Orebro 2 - 0 Djurgarden
Orebro continued their home success at Behrn Arena with a victory over Djurgarden on Monday afternoon.
Alejandro Bedoya ended up starting at right back for the second match in a row for head coach Sixten Bostrom.
The decision to move Bedoya has been a successful one as Orebro recorded their second straight shutout thanks in part to the play of the Florida native who went the distance.
Picking up the three points also keeps Orebro's hopes alive of playing in Europe next year as they sit just five points back of fourth place.
Monday's match saw Orebro bookend the game with a goal in the third minute and then another in the 85th minute.
Danish forward Kim Olsen helped the hosts get on the scoreboard when his run into the area provoked a tackle by the Djurgarden defense which was whistled by the referee who immediately pointed to the spot.
Finnish midfielder Fredrik Nordback confidently drilled the penalty kick into the left side of the net giving Orebro the lead.
The second goal came as a result of a perfect counterattack where Markus Astvald crossed a perfect pass to defender Per Johansson who struck a shot into the upper right corner of the net.
The win now gives Orebro a four match unbeaten streak including seven points in their last three matches which were all started by Bedoya.
Bostrom's squad hit the road next weekend to take on IF Elfsborg as they currently sit sixth with 30 points.
Ljungskile 2 - 1 Atvidabergs
Ljungskile notched their most impressive win on the season by defeating second place Atvidabergs on Sunday afternoon at Starke Arvid Arena.
The defending duo of Ryan Miller and Etchu Tabe returned to their starting spots in the Ljungskile back line for player/coach Jorgen Walemark.
Both Miller and Tabe went the full distance helping Ljungskile clear some room between themselves and the relegation zone.
Defender Sam Brill and goalkeeper Colin Burns did not suit up for the hosts.
Aleksandar Kitic got the hosts on the scoreboard in the 29th minute who was able to capitalize on Daniel Åkervall's miss and sent a shot inside thr right post to give Ljungskile the surprising lead.
Two minutes later, the visitors showed why they are promotion candidates as they responded when Ljungskile defender Rickard Jansson failed to clear the ball in the area and Atvidabergs' Oscar Moller easily cleaned up and scored the equalizer.
It would be the home team that managed to create the best offensice chances in the second half as Miller twice set up forward Niklas Lofgren with goal scoring opportunities only to see the striker fail to take advantage.
Finally in the 82nd minute Lofgren redeemed himself when he pushed his way forward into the Atvidabergs penalty area and rounded a shot past goalkeeper Henrik Gustavsson for the game winning goal.
The victory lifts Ljungskile to 10th place in the Superettan standings with 22 points as Miller, Tabe and crew travel to last place FC Trollhättan on Wednesday.
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