IFK Mariehamn - HJK preview

IFK Mariehamn (5th) – HJK (1st)


MIFK:3-1-1-1-1-1 ---- HJK: 0-3-3-3-1-1


H2H: 1-5-6

Last game 6.5.2009 HJK – MIFK 2-0

The home team IFK Mariehamn have lost only once this season, and it was in early May away at HJK in a game which could had turned either way. Yet they are only 5th in the league because of lack of goals and thus lack of wins. Last five games of IFK have ended in a draw. ”It was a pleasant trip to Helsinki despite the loss. One of goals was disallowed and had it been accepted also the result could had been something else, ” says IFK coach Pekka Lyyski, and continues, ” we have played well all season and stayed close to the top. Getting the best team of country, HJK, here is a good challenge and we will show are best and close the 7 point gap between HJK and us.”

IFK Mariehamn are still without striker Sasha Anttilainen 7/1 and defender Pronevych 2/0. Defender Kenneth Gustavsson 14/1 will miss the game due suspension.

HJK have lost points in two of are their last games in the League, they got embarrassingly knocked out of Europe League by Lithuanian team Vetra and most of their midfielders are out injured (Medo and Haapala for sure, Taulo is doubtful). All of this means that they did not sign HJK-legend Aki Riihilahti for nothing Swedish club Djurgården, and he is likely to feature in the midfield right away if the permits are in order by Sunday.

”I appreciate the loyalty of Aki, ” says HJK coach Antti Muurinen, ” it is important for HJK to see players coming back to their roots and serve us when in need. Also the supporters love Aki and this is a boost for the whole club”, he continues about the player who have played in Germany, England and Sweden as a professional for years.



MIFK : 29 Gustav Långbacka 16/0 - 24 Mate Dujilo 12/1 - 6 Marcus Olofsson 15/1 – 22 Alexandros Pappas 15/0 – 23 Paulus Arajuuri 14/1 – 4 Johan Carlsson 13/0 - 9 Ante Simunac 13/2 – 10 Tamás Gruborovics 16/5 – 11 Mika Niskala 16/1 –14 Arsim Gashi 14/1 - 26 Wilhelm Ingves 14/3

Bench: 15 Amos Ekhalie 8/0, 1 Willis Ochieng (gk) 1/0, 2 Dmytro Voloshyn 8/0,

Unavailable: 30 Sasha Anttilainen 7/1, 18 Dmytro Pronevych 2/0, 8 Kenneth Gustavsson 14/1 (suspended)

Coach : Pekka Lyyski




HJK: 1 Wille Wallén 16/0 – 3 Mikko Hauhia 15/0 – 5 Jukka Sauso 15/0 - Aki Riihilahti – 6 Cheyne Fowler 7/1 – 9 Sebastian Sorsa 16/4 – 10 Juho Mäkelä 16/4 - 13 Pyry Kärkkäinen 16/2 – 14 Valeri Popovits 14/3 – 17 Dawda Bah 16/5 – 20 Jukka Raitala 16/0

Bench: 2 Tuomas Kansikas 5/0, 12 Jani Viander (gk) 0/0, 21 Petri Oravainen 11/0, 26 Johannes Westö 2/0, 27 Mikko Sumusalo 1/0, 28 Nosh A Lody 0/0, 31 Akseli Pelvas 11/4, 32 Sami Salmi 0/0, 16 Jarno Parikka 15/3,18 Juhani Ojala 2/0

Unavailable:15 Paulus Roiha 3/0, 4 Mohamed Kamara 14/2, 7 Tuomas Haapala 6/0, 8 Ville Taulo 5/0 ?

Coach : Antti Muurinen

Prediction: Well then, this is no rocket science. A draw.