HJK and Riga FS met for the second leg in rainy Latvia. HJK secured their way to the second qualifying round of the Champions League after a penalty shootout.
22:35•Updated 22:46
Helsinki Football Club advances to the second qualifying round of the Champions League after an even second leg.
With the home win, HJK, who went into Tuesday’s away match from a 1–0 lead, were down 1–2 after full time. A solution was sought in a follow-up match and finally in a penalty shootout. HJK’s winning goal was sealed by the 19-year-old striker Casper Terho.
– A tight match, it could have ended either way, but in the end it was managed with points. Of course, there is a very happy and good feeling after the victory. The win was also really important mentally for the team, Terho commented after the match.
Latvian Riga FS took the lead in the 48th minute of the game. After eight minutes, the score was 2–0 for the home team.
For HJK, the decisive equalizer came when the defender Murilo placed the ball in the lower right corner from the free kick. HJK got a free kick when Riikas Stefan Panic struggled to carry the ball by David Browne in the attack area in the 75th minute of the game.
In the second half, the striker was replaced on the field Santeri Hostikka was actively seeking a solution already during the actual match.
– It was a really tight and difficult game, a lot of rain. Showed personality today and took a victory from a difficult fighting game. The guys put in a great effort and it was finally rewarded with a win.
According to Hostika, especially at the end with the heavy rain, the field was muddy and the duels became more intense.
The goals in the second half went to the home team 16–6. However, the people of Helsinki excelled with penalty kicks, as the team succeeded in each of their five attempts.
HJK’s Euro summer continues in the second qualifying round of the Champions League, where they face the Czech champion team Viktoria Plzen.