Melkemichel did not make a number of changes to the team that celebrated the 3-1 win over Mjällby IF last weekend, with Miller starting in goal, Ahmed, Erkan and Jawo returning in defence, Barsom in midfield, and Touma in a supporting role behind front man Ijeh.

 

Peter Ijeh got a superb chance for Syrianska to take the lead after Anders Svensson in the Elfsborg midfield made a mistake that Zatara directly to advantage off. Zatara sent a fast and low pass to. Ijeh’s shot touched unfortunately Jesper Christiansen in the Elfsborg goal.

 

The home side took the lead on 20 minutes. Lasse Nilsson swung in a free kick, tricking Miller who did not have any thoughts of the free kick would go straight at goal. Ten minutes later Syrianska FC got a free kick. Touma took the free kick and tried to target Syrianska’s tall man Felic, but the ball bounced in front off Omar Jawo who could not take a good shot. Instead the ball took a deflection and ended up beside Rabi Elia who did no mistake and his first goal in Allsvenskan for this season. 

 

Elfsborg hit straight back and retook the lead through Oscar Hiljemark, who scored just seconds before first half ended, when he sidestepped Ahmed in the area and slotted past the Syrianska FC's number one. His loose shot went past Miller who should have been more alert. The disappointment in the Syrianska FC coach's face could be spotted miles away. Miller, making his second league start between the posts since the return from the golden cup, by representing Jamaica made a diving save from Johan Larsson hard effort and minutes later kept out a low strike from Nicklas Hult.

 

After a sluggish start to the second half the game sprang to life when Touma's volley went just wide. Elfsborg had a great chance to go two against one when Erkan Saglik slipped, but the ball touched the hand of Saglik and the Elfsborg players got instead a free kick. The shot went straight against Miller, who this time made no mistake and made a save.