Taylor Silverholt, Benjamin Acquah and Wilhelm Loeper scored the goals when HIF defeated Gefle IF 3-2 away in the series opener.
First half
The. was a rather cautious start from both teams who struggled with the fast surface. In the tenth minute, Wilhelm Loeper hit a long cross that led to the first corner of the game. Ervin Gigović took care of it and found Benjamin Örn on the far face. The right-back lunged forward and headed narrowly over the goal.
When twenty minutes had been played, Benjamin Acquah was the first to get onto a ball in the opponent’s penalty area, was tackled from behind and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Taylor Silverholt stepped forward and placed the ball in the goalkeeper’s right cross. He thus became HIF’s first goalscorer in series games this season.
In the 25th minute, Milan Silva Rasmussen gave a fine individual performance when he dribbled down towards the extended goal line inside the penalty area. He passed Loeper diagonally behind, who volleyed the ball into the goal, but the assistant referee had time before that to wave that the ball had crossed the line.
A minute later, Gefle came to his first danger in the game. A long cross from the right reached Sebastian Friman who shot on one and hit the first post. Instead of an equaliser, HIF converted through Loeper and ended up in a three against two situation. He passed Acquah who turned, turned, set the ball up to his right foot and slotted home 2-0.
In the final 15 minutes of the half, both Silva Rasmussen and Silverholt had bids for more goals, but it was 0-2 on the scoreboard when the referee blew for the first 45.
Second half
It was the worst possible start to the second half for HIF. The home team received a corner after a minute and despite the defense clearing the ball, Gefle kept up the pressure. In the end it bounced to Adrian Edqvist who slotted the reduction goal low via the first post.
However, there was no immediate reduction in goals scored, but HIF was able to control and once again create goal chances. Ten minutes in, it was dangerous several times again in connection with Gigović’s corners. Among other things, he himself got off a finish that was cleared on the goal line. The ball ended up in his possession again shortly afterwards. When the next finish was blocked, it bounced up for Wilhelm Nilsson who was going to nod but instead got a Gefle foot in the head. Once again the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
After a long treatment, Loeper stepped forward and safely made it 3-1 from eleven meters.
Then it looked like it would be a calm journey until the final whistle, but after a bit of pinball, the home team’s Edqvist pulled away again with a quarter to go, reduced and created nerves. Loeper had an opportunity to break the tie but failed, instead it was Gefle who fed balls into the penalty area.
Jacob Hjelte had a header chance in the sixth overtime minute. Otherwise, the defense was correct and could celebrate three premiership points after one hundred minutes.
In the next match, IK Brage awaits Olympia. You can buy tickets for the home premiere here!
