In the previous round, Häcken lost two points when Degerfors equalized (2–2) well into extra time.
This time the club saved a point against Kalmar FF.
— There are of course two lost points in the top battle, but you also have to be honest. If I stand here after the match and say that we deserve the victory, I stand here and lie, says Sana to Discovery+.
Kalmar’s fine period in the middle of the first half laid the foundation for the lead goal.
Sebastian Nanasi, on loan from Malmö FF, found team captain Oliver Berg centrally. The Norwegian set up for Nahom Netabay, who stroked in the lead goal with his left foot.
Smart ending
The shot was not remarkable, but all the more clever. Peter Abrahamsson was obscured by his own defenders, had the center of gravity on the wrong leg and did not have time to react in time to be able to stop the ball that slipped in close to one post.
— It was just a matter of pushing towards the first (post). I tried to hold the shot down, says Netabay to Discovery+.
Nahom Netabay, on the left, gave Kalmar the lead.
Kalmar’s neat, road-winning football paid off against the gold favourites.
— We work at every practice to find triangles, we have a lot of freedom with each player. We have to move, look for the ball and go deep, says Netabay about how coach Henrik Rydström wants Kalmar to play.
But Häcken can too – and it’s a goal guarantee when the club plays. The acknowledgment meant a goal in the 19th Allsvenskan game in a row. But the goalscorer had waited a long time for his perfect shot.
Sana’s first
Tobias Sana, who had to leave IFK Göteborg after controversy with coach Mikael Stahre, had an open goal when he rolled in 1-1 shortly after the break. It was his first goal of the season – and for the club.
Moreover, an important one. There and then, Häcken regained the series lead from Djurgården.
Häcken grinded for a long time for a winning goal, one that would have meant a three-point lead at Djurgården.
Instead, Kalmar finished the strongest.
Now only one point, 46 against 45, separates first Häcken and second Djurgården in the table. Kalmar is sixth on 37 points, as many as fifth place Malmö FF.
— This was a test for us and we stood up well. We will join and fight for the “good” places, says Kalmar’s Henrik Rydström.