KR secure 13th Icelandic Cup crown
Saturday, August 18, 2012
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Baldur Sigurdsson headed the decisive goal with six minutes remaining as KR Reykjavík came from behind to beat Stjarnan, who also missed a penalty, in the Icelandic Cup final.
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KR Reykjavík recovered from a goal down to defeat first-time finalists Stjarnan 2-1 and retain the Icelandic Cup at the national stadium in Laugardalur.
Playing in their 17th domestic showpiece, and third in succession, KR fell behind after six minutes to Gardar Jóhannsson's powerful finish. A mistake in the holders' defence then afforded Ellert Hreinsson the chance to double Stjarnan's lead, but he was thwarted in a one-on-one situation by goalkeeper Hannes Thór Halldórsson. KR equalised just after the half-hour mark when Gary Martin jumped higher than Stjarnan No1 Arnar Darri Pétursson to head the ball in.
Stjarnan were presented with another opportunity in the dying moments of the first half. However, after Gudmundur Reynir Gunnarsson fouled Atli Jóhannsson in the penalty area, Gardar Jóhannsson hit the crossbar. A minute after the restart, Stjarnan's luck was out again when Hreinsson struck a post.
KR then rattled the woodwork themselves through Kjartan Henry Finnbogason's close-range effort and Halldórsson saved from Doninger before Baldur Sigurdsson landed the decisive blow, heading in a left-wing cross from KR captain Bjarni Gudjónsson with six minutes remaining.
"You are always worried when the other team scores first, like Stjarnan did with their opening attack, but we managed to stay calm and work our way into the game," said KR coach Rúnar Kristinsson after the club's 13th cup triumph.
Stjarnan coach Bjarni Jóhannsson added: "We played well enough to win the game and were the better team throughout, kept the ball, [looked] very fresh and had more shots at goal."