With Rosengård already clear winners, Häcken has had to shift focus to instead taking second place in the Allsvenskan. There you play with Hammarby. Before the 24th round, they had three points down to Stockholmarna. Earlier on Sunday, Hammarby managed to become the first team to defeat FC Rosengård.
In order to keep the distance down to Hammarby, Häcken needed a victory against Djurgården.
– We were aware of the result and knew we had to win. We knew about it and had it as part of the plan, says Häcken’s coach Mak Lind after the match.
The Stockholmers resisted Häcken’s pressure for a long time, but the Hising team was able to win the match in the end.
– It is a difficult away game on the grass this year. With that in mind, I’m happy that we’re winning and chasing second place, says coach Mak Lind
Goalless first half
The first half ended goalless, but it was definitely Häcken that came closest to taking the lead. Paulina Nyström came closest when she got her head on a perfect cross from Hikaru Kitagawa. The header hit the crossbar perfectly.
The hedge also created several near misses. Among other things, Alice Bergström came close to brushing the ball in after a corner.
– We had possession and pushed them down. We came down close to their box but missed the last pass or the shot, says Mak Lind.
In the second half, the Häcken dominance continued and they put solid pressure on the Djurgårds goal. But Häcken had difficulty creating the really sharp positions. Djurgården defended well.
– It was very physical and a lot of duels. But we were prepared for that, says Johanna Fossdalsa Sörensen.
After just over 60 minutes, however, they found a gap. Anna Anvegård hit a nice deep pass to Alice Bergström who came free with Djurgården’s goalkeeper Elvira Björklund. But Bergström didn’t get to the finish, which sailed over the goal.
Johanna Fossdalsa Sörensen is hugged after the dream goal that made it 1-0. Image: AXEL BOBERG
Dream goal after super change
To score the winning goal, coach Mak Lind acted. In the 65th minute, he replaced the super talent Felicia Schröder, 17, and Johanna Fossdalsa Sörensen.
It gave results immediately. Five minutes after the change, Johanna Fossdalsa Sörensen got the ball a bit into the offensive half of the field. She turned away a Djurgårds player and pulled over from 30 meters and the ball sailed into the crossbar. A real dream destination.
– It’s fun that Fossdalsa comes in and scores such a nice goal. It’s a fantastic goal. I am very happy that I get to see her score goals and shoot from distance, says Mak Lind.
Mak Lind: “Doesn’t want to have any creed”
Do you give yourself some credit for this win when it came five minutes after the substitution?
– No, nothing. Only the players should have all the credit. I should never have faith in anything, I don’t think so. That’s my job.
Goal scorer Johanna Fossdalsa Sörensen says she was instructed to try to distribute the game.
– There was a lot of space in the middle and then I tried a shot from outside and then I saw that it went in, she says.
If you get to rate the target on a cuteness scale. Where does it end up then?
– Good question. I think others can judge that.
However, the joy would be short-lived for the Häckenspelarna. Just a few minutes after the lead goal when Djurgården received a penalty. Therese Åsland was the safety herself and put there 1-1 behind Jennifer Falk.
However, the hedge would have a reply. On the team’s tenth corner, Tabby Tindell got on top of a corner and headed in 2–1.
It would also be the final score of the match. With the victory, Häcken has continued three points down to Hammarby with two rounds left in the women’s league.
– We will accelerate all the way to the finish line. We have said that we will go for second place and I think we have done very well after not being able to catch up with Rosengård. They have been inhumane, says the coach.
So Häcken started
(4-2-3-1): Jennifer Falk – Hanna Wijk, Emma Östlund, Juntilla Nelhage, Hikaru Kitagawa – Filippa Curmark (65′ Fossdalsa Sörensen), Josefine Rybrink – Tabby Tindell (90′ Nildén), Anna Anvegård, Alice Bergström (83′ Larissey) – Paulina Nyström (65′ Schröder)
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Häcken’s Quest for Second Place in Allsvenskan: A Tale of Grit, Goals, and Glorious Misfires
Well, ladies and gentlemen, gather round, because it seems Häcken is in a bit of a pickle! While Rosengård has practically wrapped the trophy in glitter and placed it on their mantelpiece, Häcken is desperately clawing for that second spot in the Allsvenskan. It’s like trying to get a decent cup of tea in a café that doesn’t sell tea – you can almost taste the frustration!
A Game of Hold Your Breath
Now, before their clash with Hammarby in the 24th round, Häcken’s coach, Mak Lind, was 33% glass-half-full, with a mere three points to Hammarby—or as I like to call it, “Hammar I’m Not Sure if We Can Do This.” They had to put their game faces on and declare, “victory!” Hence, a sought-after win against Djurgården was essential.
And let’s be clear, rising to the occasion was no easy feat. Djurgården, that stubborn team from Stockholm, were playing like they’d just had a three-hour espresso binge. But as most know, pressure makes diamonds – and apparently also causes stress-induced hair loss, especially for coaches!
Goalless but Never Boring
Now, let me take you back to that goalless first half. It ended with the only thing less productive than me on a Monday morning – no goals! Häcken were on it like a starving dog on a steak, but the closest they got was a header from Paulina Nyström that quite literally kissed the crossbar. I mean, come on, even the goalposts have personal space issues these days!
But Mak Lind was quick to rally his troops, saying they had “possession,” which is a fancy football term for, “We’re doing everything but scoring!” He also mentioned they “missed the last pass,” which is code for “we need a GPS to find the goal.”
Dream Goals and Sublime Substitutions
As we kicked off the second half, there was a distinctive shift in Häcken’s tactics. They were pressurizing the Djurgården goal like it owed them money. The level of physicality? Higher than a giraffe in a basketball game! It was all give and take until Mak Lind worked his magic, bringing on super talent Felicia Schröder, who at just 17, is probably still getting carded at the movies.
And lo and behold, in came Johanna Fossdalsa Sörensen, so fresh and brimming with energy that you’d think she was plugged into a socket! Just five minutes after being subbed in, she turned away a Djurgården player like it was the most natural thing in the world, rocked back, and sent a champagne bottle-style corker soaring over 30 meters into the net. A real ‘Hold my beer’ moment, I tell you!
A Touch of Irony and a Dash of Drama
But hold your horses! Just as they were enjoying their lead, Djurgården decided to play the role of the uninvited Alex Reed at a birthday party by equalizing with a penalty. Therese Åsland calmly put the ball past Häcken’s Jennifer Falk like she was placing a well-timed order at a café – very unpretentious yet effective!
After an “oh-no-you-didn’t” moment, Häcken came back with a bang! On a corner kick, Tabby Tindell made sure they had the last laugh by heading in the decisive goal. You just know her hairdresser is going to be getting a call in the morning for an ‘inspiration’ appointment!
Mak Lind’s Winning Philosophy
Now, when asked if he deserved any credit for the game, Mak Lind, ever the humble chap, humbly shrugged off the accolades with, “No, nothing. Only the players should have all the credit.” It turns out modesty isn’t just a virtue; it’s also a tactic when your team’s got the win under their belt (or, in their case, the goal in the net!)
What Lies Ahead?
With the victory against Djurgården, Häcken now sits three points ahead of Hammarby, with just two more rounds left in the women’s league. As Mak puts it, “We will accelerate all the way to the finish line.” Well, you do that, Mak! Just remember to steer clear of speed bumps – and goalposts!
The Final Whistle
So, as Häcken chases that illustrious second spot, let’s keep our fingers crossed. Because let’s be honest, trying to catch up with Rosengård? Now that would need more than a miracle – perhaps a divine strategy session over a pint!
