It was after a duel with Aberdeen’s striker Bojan Miovski that Hammar received his second yellow card. Only a few minutes remained then of the playoff match in the Europa League between Häcken and Aberdeen at the Bravida arena.
Afterwards, the centre-back is critical of the referee’s decision.
— I put out an arm to block. I’m tall so maybe it’s easy to run into it but there’s no elbow movement but the arm is still. I think it’s hard, says Johan Hammar.
For Häcken’s part, the match started strongly and a bit into the second half the score was 2-0 in Sweden’s favour. Every now and then a dream result.
Calls for cynicism
But in four minutes, Aberdeen had scored two goals – including one by the aforementioned Miovski – and leveled the match.
— It is so deeply rooted that we must move forward and that we must score goals. At the same time, I think that in European matches it can be wise to have a bit of cynicism as well, says Johan Hammar.
— To keep a little in the team and not attack with as many players. Be cynical so that we don’t go on conversions like we do, he continues.
Hurdle coach Per-Mathias Høgmo about Hammar’s absence:
— He is a good player for us. But we have other centre-backs who can step in and do a good job, he says.
“Hard to miss it”
The hedge, thanks to the victory against Zalgiris Vilnius last week, is guaranteed a place in a European cup group stage this autumn. The return match away to Aberdeen on Thursday next week will decide whether it will be the Europa League or the Europa Conference League.
— It’s hard to miss it, of course. It will be a nervous evening. But we show for one hour that we are the better team today and we will be then as well, says Johan Hammar.