Topi Keskinen knew that he had to succeed in passing.
Topi Keskinen runs away from Molden’s Benjamin Hansen. Matti Raivio / AOP
HJK captain Miro Tenho grabs a megaphone.
The reason is clear. He wants to shout out the passionate supporters of Klubipäädy.
And thanks at the same time.
HJK has just beaten the reigning Norwegian champion Molde, and will go into the second leg of the Champions League qualifier with a 1–0 lead.
The whole team is happy. The head coach Toni Korkeakunnas turn around a little after the others.
He gets the loudest reception from the fans.
– I am the kind of person who lives by feeling. I’m a 55-year-old man, and I can’t be myself. It’s great to see that the fans noted that I’m also part of the team. It was a great feeling, Korkeakunnas felt at the press conference.
Molde arrived in Töölö on a seven-match unbeaten streak. It consisted of six wins and a 2-2 away draw at the home of Bodø/Glimt, who lead the Eliteserien by far.
However, the pipe broke nicely. The solution came already in the 25th minute, when Atomu Tanaka would have had every right to just throw a hasty wrecking ball.
However, the Japanese calmed down and sent a 40-meter running ball in the direction of Topi Keskinen. Mikkeliäinen thanked for the invitation, moved to the passing lane and passed of Benjamin Hansen like a trawler that ran aground.
– I don’t enjoy those runs because I have to score a goal. I thought I’d poke the sticks so it wouldn’t go over or over. Then Veska opened his legs, Keskinen repeated his hit.
– It felt good.
The 20-year-old winger moved from Mikkeli to Helsinki for this season. Now came the winning goal already in the Champions League qualification.
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The club’s players gathered to cheer for the winning goal. MAURI RATILAINEN / AOP
A young person is not dazzled by bright lights.
– Easily the biggest goal of my career. Molde attacked so strongly and held the line high. There is rarely so much space. Maybe they thought we wouldn’t get the ball away.
A couple of places
HJK could even have won more fairly. Bojan Radulović didn’t quite reach the ball when Try Soiri it was served to him in the penalty area.
Lucas Lingman, on the other hand, released Keskinen for a half-way through in the 11th minute, but then Hansen still managed to harass the Mikkeli player into a small shooting angle.
– None of Molde’s Toppers are fast at all. One thought was that there would be our chance. There were two or three good attempts and one was successful, Korkeakunnas was happy.
In the name of truth, however, it must be admitted that Molde dominated the match. It won shots 9–4, and corner kicks 7–2.
However, the most important numbers were recorded for HJK.
– This is results sports. I am really satisfied with the performance of the evening, he continued.
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Toni Korkeakunnas felt proud of his own team. Matti Raivio / AOP
Tuesday’s victory means that a group stage of the Eurocup is surely within 90 minutes of success. However, Korkeakunnas emphasizes that he cannot afford to think about the trip to Molden at all before Saturday’s league trip to Seinäjoki.
– I don’t think about it for a second. Only after the SJK game will I make plans there. It’s been one day at a time, the head coach said.
– Now, of course, we’ll enjoy this, and maybe on Wednesday we’ll still have a little giggles in training. You shouldn’t do this if you don’t have feelings.
Take off the straitjacket
HJK’s game has clearly improved since Korkeakunnas jumped his friend Toni Koskelan place at the helm of the Club.
Self-confidence and the desire to succeed are transmitted from the players to the stands as well. It’s like a straitjacket has been pulled off them.
– I’m really proud of that gang. We didn’t have the easiest starting points for this match. That unity, commitment, desire to play for a friend were the keys to victory. I’m really happy that this team has gone to the fair for our story.
Now those starting points are at least a little better. Injured people have returned to the player strength and a couple of completely new guys were also there to watch the Molde win.
HJK, which is on the cusp of the group stage of the Eurocups, has suction again.
– I am really satisfied with the unity and the desire to do things together. That guaranteed this victory – as it often does against tougher teams, Korkeakunnas decided.
At least 90 minutes of defensive battle awaits in Molde.
– The home team will certainly be tough there. We haven’t won anything yet, Keskinen reminded.