August 25, 2022
Silkeborg IF 1-1 (1-2) HJK Helsinki
Silkeborg
The Finnish visitors knew they’d need to pull of something special as they traveled to JYSK park on Thursday to meet Danish side Silkeborg IF in the second leg of the Europa League Play Off round.
Despite having taken a surprising 1-0 home win in the first leg thanks to David Browne’s belter, few had Helsinki advancing past Silkeborg IF, which sat at first in the Danish league ahead of Thursday’s second leg.
The Danish side had made its return to European competitions in the first leg after a 20-year absence including years spent in the second tier. HJK, on the other hand, participated in the UEFA Europa Conference League inaugural season last year, and has no shortage of experience in European competitions. Despite this, a spot in the Europa League would not be taken lightly in Helsinki.
Silkeborg started the match unsurprisingly. A packed JYSK park watched as their side dominated the ball and was close to breaking level on aggregate, including a shot which hit the post.
It was like a cold shower when completely out of the blue, in the 40th minute, Ghanaian striker Malik Abubakari caught Silkeborg goalkeeper Nicolai Larsen lacking with a near midway line solo effort which bounced into the back of the net, with what was HJK’s only shot of the first half.
Silkeborg started the second half sharply. And time and time again, they were close to scoring, with the inches certainly on Helsinki’s side. HJK also got into the game though, and Santeri Väänänens half volley effort had to be stopped by Larsen.
Silkeborg fans finally got reason to cheer in the 76th minute, as Joel Felix managed to turn the ball into the net off a HJK defender after a corner hassle in the box.
Silkeborg knew though, that they’d have to find one more goal.
Sone HJK fans certainly covered their eyes during the last twenty minutes as Silkeborg came time after time, with the ball somehow bouncing just wide every time.
HJK almost escaped the pressure in the 87th minute as a HJK cross found its way to Abubakari, who could’ve well scored and given the Finns the winner but was stopped by Larsen.
Extra time was nothing short of dramatic. Silkeborg had multiple good ball into the box, but the ball just wouldn’t go in.
As the full time whitsle sounded, the HJK players ran to the field celebrating. HJK will play in the Europa League for its second time, while Silkeborg will continue in the Conference League. Both draws will take place tomorrow.