Head coach Toni Korkeakunnas didn’t want to lose sight of the red card HJK received at the beginning of the match.
– On behalf of the boys, I’m disappointed when we didn’t get a proper opportunity to challenge the opponent. I’ve been in quite a few games, but it’s been quite rare that a player goes out from the first two tackles.
HJK’s Kevin Kouassivi-Benissan received yellow cards from the French referee in the 14th and 16th minutes. That pretty much settled the match pair. HJK was leading the match 1–0 at that point.
– Shall we say that the picture of the match changed a little. After that, it’s quite difficult to play for such a long time against a low-quality opponent. The players got a little emotional and we focused a little too much on the judgments, Korkeakunnas thinks.
– Qarabag’s spot looked like you could give it (a penalty kick), but as far as I could see, the shot had left the player’s leg earlier. Of course, I’m not a judge, comments the Klubi pilot.
Korkeakunna was also surprised by the situation in the second half, when the French referee Willy Delajod blew the whistle when the club had a chance to score. The HJK players did not commit a foul, but Qarabag’s goalkeeper executed his own player in pursuit of the ball.