Göteborg better ten-man Brann

By Jan Juhlin

Rosenborg BK and IFK Göteborg claimed wins on Matchday 2 of the Royal League second group stage as the encounters between Norwegian and Swedish teams each ended in 2-0 home wins.

Brann outplayed
In Group 1, Norway's title-holders Rosenborg defeated Swedish champions Malmö FF, while Göteborg saw off SK Brann in Group 2. Göteborg's trip to Vålerenga was postponed last week, meaning this game opened their pool.

Alexandersson scores
Strike duo Peter Ijeh and George Mourad were a constant threat to Brann's defensive line, Sebastian Johansson and Håkan Mild dominated the midfield and it took Brann 30 minutes to get their first shot on goal. Eight minutes later, Göteborg went ahead as veteran Swedish international Niclas Alexandersson got on the end of a delicate pass from Ijeh.

Blistering shot
Göteborg started the second half in similar style to the first, and in the 57th minute the game was effectively over as Brann's Cato Guntveit was sent off following a second bookable offence. Brann tried to hold out, but ten minutes later George Mourad scored IFK's second - a blistering shot from well outside the box.

'Very pleased'
"I'm very pleased with the result," said Göteborg coach Arne Erlandsen. "We looked sharp and we're looking forward to the next three games in the Royal League." His team's postponed trip to Vålerenga is their next match on 3 April, but before that the two Norwegian sides meet in Bergen next Thursday.

Rosenborg dominate
Rosenborg took just three minutes to score against Malmö, as Roar Strand stole in behind the visiting defence and rounded goalkeeper Mattias Asper. Malmö struggled until the break, and although they looked more comfortable in the second half they rarely threatened the Rosenborg goal. The lead was doubled not long before the end through Alexander Övergaard.

Malmö welcome København
Having drawn at sole Danish survivors FC København in their opening game, Rosenborg now have four points, with only the top team after each side has met their group rivals home and away to go into May's two-legged final. Malmö will look to get off the mark at home to København next Thursday.