The second-year goalkeeper says that he doesn’t feel any pressure from playing. Masi Härkönen says that he goes to every match with the idea that he will do his best.
Pekka Ruissalo,
Antti Haavisto
16:11•Updated 16:16
During the fall, Vaasan Sport has gone through a lot of sad news. There have been reports of financial difficulties, there have been reports of two key defenders being shelved. It is possible that Miro from Karelia and Take Rantakari no longer seen in the league, at least in the Sport shirt.
Light came into the darkness on Wednesday evening, when Sport’s second-generation goalkeeper made his debut Masi Härkönen.
The performance was successful. The match against Rauma Lukko ended victoriously, and the young Härkönen made 29 saves and only conceded one goal. The moves were such that they were also praised by the opponent’s coach From Tomi Lämsa.
– Yes, it felt a bit strange. Now we are in the big world for the first time, and the media’s attention is completely different than in junior matches. Let’s hope that in the future I will be able to respond to the compliments I received now, says Härkönen.
You just have to do your best
Sport’s season has been difficult both in the cabinets and on the field. More trouble came when the representative team’s clear number one goalkeeper Miroslav Svoboda injured for the rest of the season. Härkönen and is now responsible for the attack Niilo Halonen on the shoulders.
– It was a tough place, you can’t deny that. Then you just have to step forward and do your best, says the goalkeeper.
Härkönen says that he doesn’t really feel any pressure. On Saturday night, Härkönen will again be the playing goalkeeper for the Vaasa team, when Sport faces Lahti Pelicans in an away match.
– Then comes the next match, and you have to succeed again. The mental cassette is the key, you have to concentrate all the time at the mouth of the goal or an easy shot will go in next. He has chosen his own place to play, so you just have to stay humble, he describes.
From Porir to Vaasa
Masi Härkönen’s father Marko Härkönen also known as goalkeeper. Born in Pori, Härkönen first played in the Ässie organization, from where he moved to Vaasa in the late 1990s and eventually stayed in the city permanently.
Dad played eight seasons in Sport. Marko Härkönen has since been in Sport’s organization as a goalkeeper coach.
– Well, you still can’t say that your own son went to the League, here is only one match played at the league level. It has been going well in the juniors: it has been more difficult at times, but fortunately I have always been able to catch up with my own playing.
Masi Härkönen shares Sport’s defense responsibility with Niilo Halonen. He says that the competition is at a very healthy level.
– We practice together and things go very well. We will go one week at a time and then evaluate who will take on the blocking responsibility in the next match.