Football|The run out of the second period made it difficult for Gnistan to chase HJK’s lead.
HJK–Gnistan 1–0
The club the rise towards the top of the league started with a 1–0 win over local opponent Gnistan.
HJK supporters welcomed a new head coach Toni Korkeakunnsen welcome him with a familiar song. “Stick, stick, toothpick”, chanted the supporters. “Welcome to Hima Toke”, read the supporters’ sheet.
“I am proud of the commitment of the players. Everyone left everything on the field. This week’s theme is survival, and surviving takes six points. Half of the goal is full”, said Korkeakunnas at the press conference after the match.
“It’s easy to say that change brings energy, but there’s a lot of sadness and everything else.”
Korkeakunnas said he was proud of his players’ commitment. As one positive thing, he mentioned the side top by Michael Boamah21, made his league debut.
HJK’s new head coach Toni Korkeakunnas followed the game events.
It in the end, it was a side note how narrowly the victory came against the local opponent Gnistan. All it took was one lucky person by Lucas Lingman shot in the 13th minute.
Lingman’s cleverly covered shot flew through the defense into the bottom corner of Gnistan’s goal.
“Yes, I tried to go there, but it went like a mole. It doesn’t matter,” Lucas Lingman said.
“I think we played well. There was a bit of an upbeat game look, but maybe we made the game a little difficult for ourselves. Should have been able to do a couple more.”
Lingman said that Monday’s firings at the club were of course unfortunate.
HJK dismissed the director of sports Vesa Mäken and the leader of the playful process Ferran Sibilan. The head coach Ossi Virra was made an assistant coach to the new head coach Toni Korkeakunnani.
Lingman stated that everyone knows that a lot is required at HJK.
“Our players have to take responsibility for playing. It’s pointless to point the finger at one person.”
There where in HJK’s and HIFK’s local matches, in Stad’s derbies, there was even angry fervor on the field and in the stands, on Wednesday the intensity remained on the field.
David Agbo was ejected in the second period. Lucas Lingman was lying on the surface of the field.
If there was a lack of confrontation and an electric atmosphere in the stands, then on the field Gnistan’s players perhaps forgot their game discipline.
Gnistan opening players Momodou Sarr, Joakim Latonen and Teemu Penninkangas first took the warnings, and then in the second period a substitute player David Agbo took the warnings every seven minutes and got kicked out.
Captain of Gnistan Jukka Raitalan according to the warnings were partly due to fatigue.
“We played quite hard and aggressively and tried to take the upper hand in our own way. Of course, it’s a shame that HJK got a goal to start it. It might have relaxed them a bit today. After all, we had a few plots there. I am proud of the team’s performance.”
Gnistan’s winger Momodou Sarr (left) had to dodge strong tackles from Diogo Tomas throughout the match.
Stripe didn’t get a new contract with HJK last fall, and the supporters didn’t get to say goodbye to him in Töölö. At the end of the club, a gesture had been made for him, which he noticed.
“I noticed that and I appreciate it. Thank you very much for that. Top Middle came to poke me in the middle of the match and said to look over there. I gave the applause in that direction.”
Head coach of Gnistan Jussi Leppälahti said he was proud of his team that fought well.
“HJK won with winning plays. We overcame the warnings and fouls. I’m really proud of the team. That winning goal is of course sad,” Leppälahti said.
Noah Pallas (left) reached for the ball while Momodou Sarri (right) followed.
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