Viking II host Vindbjart at Lyse Arena after Våg setback

Viking's reserve side take on Vindbjart at Lyse Arena today, kicking off at 15:00. Viking II are looking to bounce back from a 1-2 home defeat to Våg on 26 September. The match comes in a busy October at the stadium, with the first team leading the Eliteserien table.

Reserves back at Lyse Arena

Viking II host Vindbjart at 15:00 today. The match gives the club's second string another outing on the ground that has been so central to the first team's season. The fixture is listed among the next matches on the Lyse Arena schedule.

For the young players in the squad, a game at Lyse Arena is a chance to play where the first team has built its season. The stadium, which opened in 2004, holds 15,900 spectators. It is owned by the club and is the home ground of both the men's and women's teams.

Looking for a response after Våg

Viking II come into the game after a 1-2 home defeat to Våg on 26 September. The match was goalless at half-time, and Våg took the points with the goals in the second half.

That result leaves the reserves with something to prove against Vindbjart. A first half without goals gave no warning of how the afternoon would turn out. The challenge now is to turn a solid start into a full performance.

Viking II play under the same club umbrella as the Eliteserien leaders. Many of the players come through the academy pathway, which the club has been busy with in recent weeks. Andreas Bjørnsen signed a professional contract with Viking after three years in the academy. Vebjørn Hagen has also been named head of recruitment and leader of the Rygerlag academy structure.

A big picture around the arena

The reserve fixture comes in the middle of a heavy few weeks around the stadium. The first team lead the Eliteserien table with 53 points from 22 matches. Bodø/Glimt are second on 50 points from 21 matches, so the gap at the top is small.

The next big home occasion for the first team is the visit of Fredrikstad on 17 October, with kick-off at 18:00. Fredrikstad are eighth on 28 points from 21 matches. The club's home page also lists a Lyse Arena fixture with Bayern München on Tuesday 13 October at 21:00.

Viking II's next listed fixture after today's match is against Flekkerøy on 24 October at 17:00.

The reserve side's matches draw smaller crowds than the first team's, but they are part of the club's year-round life at Lyse Arena. Today's game kicks off at 15:00 with Viking II looking to bounce back from the Våg defeat.

Sources: vikingfotball.no, snl.no