Of HJK’s striker trio, Ria Karjalainen, Veera Hellman and Oona Sevenius all succeeded in scoring, 19-year-old Hellman twice. The people of Helsinki took the meeting of the series’ pre-favorites 4–2.
Attacking trio of the Helsinki Football Club Ria Karjalainen, Veera Hellman and Oona Sevenius was key when HJK beat Åland United 4–2 in the expected opening round of the National League.
The trio scored four goals in the match, with Karelia and Sevenius hitting once and Hellman twice. The trio had plenty of places to do in the fight, especially when HJK controlled the first half of the pre-favorites.
– I could have done more than those two, there were places. Still having to be quite happy with his own performance, Hellman commented on the two goals in an interview with Sporten.
The match was for 19-year-old Hellman in the Fifth National League. The goals, on the other hand, were his first. The ease of the offensive game with the other two HJK attackers felt particularly good about him.
– It’s nice and easy to play with Karelian and Sevenius. We were able to create a variety of attacks with three of us and the rest of the team. All three can be happy with their match when each of the three succeeds in scoring. If we keep our level and develop small details, we can be really dangerous in the future.
The two goals of the Åland team, which has clearly revived from last season, were the responsibility of the defenders, the Montenegrin Helena Bozicin and experienced Anna Westerlundin after success. Åland United got more pressure towards the end towards HJK’s goal, but the Helsinki players eventually did better in their defensive game.
“We can be proud of the whole team as we kept our lead until the end,” Hellman said.
The beginning of the halftime was also devastating for the away team. HJK was better able than Åland United to take over the game in the forty-five-minute start-up phase.
– Yes, it was a planned thing and an important part of the game. I also stressed to the team in the booth that the top of both halves must come with a roar today. Everyone responded well to that call today, Captain HJK Essi Sainio said after the match.
The matches of the National League on Sunday were a celebration for the people of the capital anyway. In Sunday’s second match, PK-35 Vantaa knocked down Oulu’s Nice Soccer with 2-1 goals. The people from Vantaa succeeded in scoring Netta Koso and Karoliina Autio. The ONS who finished in the league finished the first goal in the main season Tiia Pohjanen.
HJK players were interviewed by Martin Lundberg of Sporten.