HJK opened the Europa League group stage with a 0–2 loss against the Spanish Real Betis.
Jussi Vainikka,
Hinn Hirvonen
8.9. 23:56•Updated 0:15
On Thursday, HJK opened the Europa League group stage at the sold-out Töölö stadium with a 0–2 loss against the Spanish team Real Betis. The Brazilian striker was responsible for both of the guests’ hits William Jose.
Betis, the winner of last season’s Spanish Cup and who reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League, went into the match as huge favorites, but HJK offered a decent resistance. The home team kept the ball, was able to create chances and mostly defended tightly. The match progressed very evenly and the ball control was equally divided 50/50.
HJK pilot Toni Koskela even praised himself after the match.
– I think we played our best game of the season. We put Betis in a tight spot many times and Betis had to do a full day’s work today to get those three points. The result is of course disappointing, VAR was not favorable for us today, Koskela talked after the game.
One of the most talked about situations of the match was related to the away team’s opening goal, which came from a penalty kick at the very end of the opening period. HJK’s Nassim Boujelab hit to William Carvalho inside the penalty area, and Carvalho went down after contact. Match referee Roi Reinschreiber after a quick VAR check, took the ball to the spot, from which Willian Jose scored his opening goal of the evening.
– The feet collided a bit. A light comma. That twist won’t help here, Koskela saw.
In HJK’s defense, 88 minutes of effort Arttu Hoskonen revealed after the match that Betis players admitted that Carvalho had gone down himself.
– The guy himself said that he dived in it. A few guys passed by and said in passing that he fell himself. There was a little touch and he fell when there was a chance. If you can do that well, then let’s whistle a comma, Hoskonen was spinning.
– This is this. The referee makes the decisions, this time VAR was not favorable.
The penalty awarded to Betis was not the only situation where the VAR checks were not favorable to HJK. The club got the ball into Betis’ net once, in the 67th minute, but Malik too the hit was ruled offside after video review.
Betis’ second goal came after just over an hour from a corner. HJK didn’t manage to clear the ball, but the game tool bounced to a completely free Willian Jose, who scored his second hit of the evening.
– Today, poor special situation defense and a comma decided, commented Koskela.
Like Koskela, Hoskonen was also satisfied with his own performance, apart from the result.
– I think this was a positive performance, even though there was a loss. We were able to keep the ball, create chances and play under pressure. It was perhaps surprising how much we were able to keep the ball and attack. We have to take the positive things into the next match, commented Hoskonen.
According to the HJK defender, the good fight gave confidence for the next Europa League games as well.
– At least at home we can challenge anyone. It will be a different game in the away games, but hopefully we will have the same momentum in the away games as at home.
– We were just talking in the booth about how nice it was to play and enjoy. For many, this opportunity may only come once in a lifetime. You have to enjoy it and go with the mentality that there is nothing to lose.
A surprise result in the second match of the group
In the second match of the group, the Bulgarian Ludogorets pulled off a surprise when they beat the Italian giant AS Roma 2–1 at home. The winning goal was scored in the 88th minute Nonato.
Jose Mourinho’s the piloting Italian group has had a difficult time in the last few matches. On Sunday, the team lost 0-4 to Udinese away in the Italian league.
HJK will travel next Thursday as a guest of the Romans. Before that, it will play again on Sunday against Honka in the final round of the Veikkausliiga regular season.
8.9. HJK Helsinki – Real Betis 0–2
15.9. at 22:00 AS Roma – HJK Helsinki
6.10. at 19:45 HJK Helsinki – PFC Ludogorets
13.10. at 22:00 PFC Ludogorets – HJK Helsinki
27.10. at 22:00 HJK Helsinki – AS Roma
3.11. at 22:00 Real Betis – HJK Helsinki
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