Aalesund wins Norwegian Cup on penalties

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OSLO (AP) -- Ten-man Aalesund won the Norwegian Cup for the first time on Sunday after beating Molde 5-4 in a penalty shootout.

Despite being down to 10 men for most of the contest after a red card for Fredrik Carlsen in the 52nd minute, Aalesund twice managed to find an equalizer to make it 1-1 after 90 minutes and 2-2 after extra time.

"This is fantastic," Aalesund coach Kjetil Rekdal was quoted as saying by daily Aftenposten. "This was an enormous achievement and showed an enormous will to win."

Aalesund goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard made the only save of the penalty shootout by turning back Molde's first spot-kick, taken by Jose Mota. Aalesund's fifth penalty taker, Amund Skiri, later secured the win for his side.

Molde had made an ideal start, taking the lead in the 27th minute through Senegalese striker Mame Biram Diouf, who was playing his last game for the club before joining Manchester United in January. Diouf pounced with a left-foot shot following a free kick taken by Makhtar Thioune.

Aalesund equalized two minutes after Carlsen's dismissal, with Glenn Roberts following up to score from close range after teammate Diego Silva had failed to get a shot away.

Diouf restored Molde's lead just six minutes into extra time, only for Tor Hogne Aaroy to level again for Aalesund in the 115th minute.

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