Seventeenth direct influence - close to the gold

On Monday, it was time for the Damallsvenskan’s most charged conference to date.

Table leader Rosengård against runner-up Häcken in the series final at Malmö IP in front of 1,609 spectators.

It ended in a heavy afternoon for Hisings’ team.

After a scoreless first half, the home side took control in the second half and dominated the game. The series leader had several goals, but the game ended 1-0. This means that FC Rosengård are moving forward in the battle for gold – now a full nine points ahead of Häcken and Hammarby with just ten rounds remaining.

Add to that one less game played at Rosengård.

– It feels very difficult to lose this special match, said Mak Lind after the match.

– Now they have picked up their 16th victory. It’s pretty special I’d say. Not only in the women’s league, but also in football in general. Going to Rosengård to find something unique, he continues.

A goalless first half – despite several chances

At first there was pressure from both teams. No one had to wonder if it was an important game – because it showed.

It was dangerous from both sides in the first half as the teams took turns for possession.

Hecken created the biggest and best scoring chances, but failed to direct the ball into the goal. Felicia Schröder, Filippa Curmark and Monica Jusu Bah were behind several of the scenarios. Anna Anvegård was often responsible for the initiation work.

– There was no shortage of scoring chances, and certainly no shortage of scoring chances. Sometimes we do good things, but we miss scoring. We should have done it, says Lind.

In Rosengård, Emilia Larsson and Momoko Tanikawa were behind the best finishes.

Before half time, Häcken had to take a substitute. In the 41st minute, Monica Jusu Bah was injured and could not play forward. She was replaced by Clarissa Larisy. He was goalless at the break.

Hecken had to make a substitute in the first half. Clarissa Larisey replaced Monica Jusu Bah, who was ill. Photo: AVDO BILKANOVIC

Heavy for Häcken

Rosengård started the second half with a good position.

In the 50th minute, Emilia Larsson sent a hard shot into the crossbar. The ball was millimeters from going in. Just a few minutes later, the same player got cannon mode again. But then Jennifer Falk made a stunning save from close range.

A major goal was in the air for a long time for Rosengård.

And in the 65th minute he came. Falk saved the first chance, but when there was another chance immediately after, Gudrun Arnardottir got the ball into the goal. 1–0 to Rosengård – and a tough uphill battle for Häcken.

Hisings’ team searched hard for an equalizer towards the end, but to no avail.

– It felt even, intense and mostly it was two teams that played high pressure against each other. Now it’s like this and it’s very heavy. It could have been different, then it would have been a lot more fun now.

In the next match, Häcken will face Piteå away from home. It is played on Saturday – kick-off 15:00 away.

This is how Häcken (4–2–3–1) started:

Jennifer Falk – Hanna Wijk, Josefine Rybrink, Elma Nelhage, Hikaru Kitagawa – Johanna Fossdalsa Sörensen, Filippa Curmark – Alice Bergström, Anna Anvegård, Monica Jusu Bah (41′ Clarissa Larisey) – Felicia Schröder.