Mjällby AIF - Helsingborgs IF 0 - 1 (0 - 1)

Dominating is not winning - dominer n´est pas gagner

Mjällby had as much as 64% of the ball possession, HIF had 36%. HIF had two shots on goal, one on each side of the half time. The first one of the two went in behind Mattias Asper. Not his fault, but as Peter Swärdh stated: a goal that came from now where. Mjällby made a defensive mistake and that was enough for rutinated Helsingborg. In the 34rd minute the games only goal was a fact through Eric Sundin, who for the rest of the game didn´t impress much. Actually not many did this wonderful evening at Strandvallen where 7000 people - full stadium - had made their pilgrimage .

It looked all good when the game started. Full stadium, nice songs from the HIF supporters, sun, a top meeting in Swedens highest football league and also the first Allsvenskan game ever between the teams. And the start of the game was not so bad either. But then, not more happened. It was a rather boring game with little chances. Helsingborgs Joel Ekstrand didn´t make the game much more exiting - but for the moment - when getting himself a red card while trying to cut the legs of El Kabir. Directly after the expulsion Conny Karlsson, HIF-coach, made a defensive change when putting out Rasmus Jönsson, who didn´t want to leave the pitch, giving place to Hannu Paltronen, and the game went more boring. Not because of Paltronen, but because of Helsingborg playing on the result. Mjällby didn´t managed to answer much and didn´t break through HIF:s rutinated, some might say brutal, defense.

The nearer the end Mjällby seemed to realize they had to equalize and managed better. Actually the referee was not on their side when he turned down two penalties! The first one on a hand from a HIF defender - the "true-penalty-version", when the player stopped the ball with his hand. The second when newly entered Peter Gitselov was brutally pushed down. Both situations can be seen here commented by SVTs Staffan Lindeborg: http://svtplay.se/v/1979650/hif_holl_undan_mot_mjallby

Gitselov, was one of some few Mjällby hightlights.

Comments on the players effort:

Asper
One saving, one goal. He can not do much on the goal. For the rest of the time he didn´t have much to do.

Cederberg
Ok performance meeting a tough guy in Mattias Lindström. No mistakes. Very offensive at the end.

Rosengren
Fantastic again. Especially when he precisely picked the ball from Erik Sundin - to show in all footballschools. Though left a space with Robledo on the goal.

Robledo
Playing performance ok, but his temper not. He got a second yellow card and was sent of the pitch. Might have been right in the cause (that it was corner to Mjällby in an important moment), but cannot be allowed to say anything to the referee whatsoever.

Westerberg
Really good. Better and better, more offensive all the time. Nice blue shoes.

Nicklasson
Started better offensively than before this year. But weighted to light and was less good behind. A lot of wrong passes. Was replaced by Gitselov.

Grahn
Did some great stuff like a fantastic pass with the head. Very good.

Osiako
Mixed good work with bad passes. Not his best day.

Löfquist
Funny, offensive but had tought times. Was replaced by Johan Svensson.

Ekenberg
I know, we have high expectations on the captain. It was really not his day, like the last games as well. But still had some wide shots. Takes a lot of loads on his shoulders.

El Kabir
Started as usual as a Duracell battery. Managed to offense the HIF defense, playingly as well as verbally. Got litterally cut down by Ekstrand after a good 30 minutes. After beeing helped off the pitch (we have seen people got their legs kicked off for less) he came back. But had lost his Duracell effect. Could that guy get affected anyway? Must also mention his new pink shoes.

Gitselov
Came in earlier this time (59), managed to make himself seen. Very positive and is knocking on the start eleven. Should start already next game. Will not go out again.

Svensson
Played 20 minutes but we didn´t see him a lot.

Nilsson
Played about 10 minutes. Did what he had to do.

Now, just forget about this game - or better, learn from it - and pass on to next game away which is already thursday, in Stockholm playing Djurgården.