BK Häcken and Östersunds FK clashed in the Swedish Cup’s first group stage round. Then the Hising team took the first victory of the year.
Häcken signing Julius Lindberg was behind the game’s first scoring chance after just a few minutes, but Ali Youssef’s finish was far too loose and Andrew Mills was able to make a simple save.
It would then take all the way to minute 37 before the next big goal chance appeared. Then it was visiting Östersund who came to a party mood. But Mykola Musolitin’s finish to Sebastian Karlsson Grach’s exemplary preparation went just wide of the far post.
Mikkel Rygaard then got a sharp position just before the break, but the ball did not go in and the teams had to settle for 0-0 at halftime.
However, it would not take many minutes into the second half before the goalless score could be broken. After a deep ball from Julius Lindberg, Ali Youssef was ice cold and chipped in 1-0 to Häcken, in the 52nd minute.
– Julius did very well. He put a perfect ball, then it was nice to score, says Youssef.
Östersund had a couple of opportunities to equalise, but instead it was substitute Abdulrazaq Ishaq who extended Häcken’s lead with a dream hit into the far post with ten minutes remaining. A goal that turned out to be the last of the match.
– It was beautiful for me – and everyone was happy for me. It was my first goal for Häcken so I’m very happy, says the 2-0 scorer humbly about the dream goal.
Ali Youssef gives his view on Häcken’s performance in the match.
– I think we will get better and better with time. We start pretty tough, but that’s how it is in the first competition match. It will probably drop later, says Youssef.
Startelvor
BK Häcken: Abrahamsson – Lundkvist, Zecevic, Hovland, Sandberg (Ishaq 65) – Lindberg (Dahbo 78), Amane, Rygaard – Youssef (Turgott 78), Hrstic, Layouni.
Östersunds FK: Millis – Hedenquist, Suljic, Jablinski, Adjoumani – Brendon, Sinyan, Musolitin, Perry, Bonnah – Karlsson Grach (Nader 80).
All matches in the Swedish Cup are broadcast on TV4 Play.
