HJK can get a real crowd magnet against them in the Europa League.
Malik Abubakari took on Atumo Tanaka in Silkeborg. Frank Cilius
Toni Koskela has had a moment to breathe in the fresh air of JYSK Park.
Behind is a tight 90-minute match against the local Silkeborg. The home team’s equalizer just over a quarter of an hour before the end made it particularly exhausting.
However, HJK lasted.
by Malik Abubakar the opportunistic opening goal scored at the end of the opening period guaranteed the visitors a 1–1 draw and a 2–1 victory on aggregate. It means that HJK is playing in the group stage of the Europa League for the second time in history.
– Of course this is a great performance, Koskela begins in an interview with Iltalehti.
Behind, the Club’s players celebrate their achievement. The loud shouts cover the softly spoken head coach’s voice.
– It was an extremely tight game. We were efficient enough because we didn’t have many scoring chances. Maybe it wasn’t even the spot from which the hit was made, Koskela laughs with relief.
The story continues after the picture.
Santeri Hostikka (right) took Malik Abubakar in his arms. Frank Cilius
It is true that the Ghanaian striker, who came from Malmö on a loan deal, redeemed all the rental money invested in him when he saw the Silkeborg coach Nikolai Larsen adventuring too far from his goal.
The player forcibly twisted the ball to himself and bounced it almost from the center circle into an empty net.
– Amazing individual performance from Malik.
The hit gave HJK a 2–0 lead in total goals. Silkeborg stepped up their pressure at the beginning of the second period, but couldn’t create real scoring opportunities either. The Danes equalized in the 74th minute, when Arttu Hoskonen kicked the ball into his own goal with his shin.
However, it was not enough in terms of total goals, and Silkeborg continues its Euro adventures on the Conference League side.
– We had to defend a lot, but we did it well enough that the opponent didn’t have scoring chances on the assembly line. The amount of work and commitment to defending one’s box was really good, praised Koskela.
HJK plays its own Euroautumn in the continent’s second competition. The head coach at least has his dream opponent clear.
– I have been a fan of Manchester United since the 90s, so it would be a big wish to get to Old Trafford. That would be great for sure.
Against Ronaldo?
The dream is shared with only 20-year-old Matti Peltola. The club’s own grower came on the field at just over an hour, and now he might get to play against one of the famous stoppage shirts.
– United would be the brightest possible opponent. It is one of the biggest clubs in the world. And besides, it would be a nice confrontation because I’m a Leo Messi fan. That’s why it would be nice to get to play Cristiano Ronaldo against, Peltola smiled broadly.
The story continues after the picture.
Head coach Toni Koskela dreams of meeting Manchester United. Frank Cilius
The Europa League group draw is coming up on Friday at 14:00 Finnish time. In addition to United, HJK can receive, for example, Arsenal, AS Roma, Real Sociedad, Lazio, PSV Eindhoven, Dynamo Kyiv or Monaco.
There are a total of 32 teams in the group stage. HJK is undoubtedly one of the cinderella stories of the competition.
– After all, this is the biggest achievement in my career. The booth has a really good atmosphere. This is what we came to get from Denmark, Peltola was happy.
The defender replaced another youngster when he took over the one who started as a substitute Aapo Halme place on the field. A cool performance also bodes well for the group stage matches.
– I knew that the defense had to be handled very carefully. I immediately noticed that you don’t really attack here, because there is no space for a player with the ball.
– After their goal, I was even more cautious. Couldn’t do anything stupid.
The HJK euro adventure has been practically perfect. Sure, Viktoria Plzen dropped it in the Champions League qualifiers, but the Czech team finally progressed to the elite competition, proving a clear difference in level. After that, both Maribor and Silkeborg were practically unarmed in front of the Klubi wall.
– Perpa (Perparim Hetemaj) once said that you can suffer on the field, but you can’t concede a goal. The defensive battle can be summed up in that.
HJK is playing in the Europa League group stage for the second time in its history. FRANK CILIUS