Halmstad 1 - 2 MAIF

Victory away today in Halmstad. Mjällby did a good first half, but still took the first goal. Free kick on the left side after a foul on Joe Sise, and it's the same guy who ends up all alone in the middle of MAIF's defense and quite simply pushes it in.
Luckily MAIF came back with 2 almost identical goal. They both started with a corner from the left shot by Cederberg.
Shot #1 was a little long but Eken put it back in the middle, it bounced on a bunch of Halmstad players, who disturbed the keeper quite a bit actually, and ended up right in front of Niklasson alone on the left, who shot quite hard and tunneled 2 defenders (#6 and #9) on the way.
Shot #2 was a little shorter and on Robledo's head, it took on 2 Halmstad defenders but went through, Löken was behind and pushed it in.
3 goals in roughly 20 minutes, there was action.

The second half was a disaster from MAIF's side, we were really lucky the Halmstad attackers were not more (lucky), or it could have ended with several goals back. Halmstad was eating us in the middle, our defenders were playing too easy, we were putting ourselves in difficult situations times and times over. Special minus-mention for Ivan that has not come up to speed and created several dangerous situations.

Mr Referee had also a very average 2nd half in my opinion, missing several ugly fouls on MAIF and whistling against us as soon as we only approached an opponent. Hashing the game's rythm.

Asper did a good game. The defense gave him no chance on the goal, only luck could have saved it.
Right defender Westerberg (who has shaved and no longer looks like Mellberg) continues to make a very strong impression.
Ivan must raise his level, too many approximations and passes to the opponent (and fouls).
Robledo average for 2 games now, some very good actions and some quite bad just after. Although admittedly it cannot be easy to bring the confidence and vision of the game that Bagarn usually brings in our defense.
Cederberg OK on his side
Nicklasson and Johan Svensson did an OK game on their sides. Defending more than they used to, which is appreciated.
Osiako ok, did several saves and had more space to play than last time against Gefle.
Löken too slow and cannot handle tight spaces, must raise his level for Allsvenskan.
Eken did an ok game, maybe not as dominant as usual but involved in many actions.
Mostapha "Muss Pigg" El Kabir was running like a maniac after every ball, he's a real pain in the ass for all defenses and draws a lot of people.

The youngsters that entered (Emmanuel Svensson for Daniel Nicklasson, Christofer Nilsson for Johan Svensson) did bring energy but even more approximative shots.

Anyway, 5 games and 10 points, 4th of the league and many big shots behind us. Not many had tipped those position 1 month ago.
By the way I think the triple champions of last year will get a new trainer very soon, the same guy that said he wouldn't want to take any player from MAIF and really thought he'd be champion again this year, just now he's 2nd... from the bottom with only 1 goal made. Ha ha ha I lough...