Ben Gilby rounds up all the latest action in the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan with some big games played and major developments at AIK (10/5/22).
Above: Dramatic action in the game between Hammarby and Vittsjö. Photo: Hammarby.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
AIK’s dreadful start to the season reached a new low after losing 4-2 at home to bitter cross-city rivals Djurgården. Remy Siemsen had the first chance for the hosts, but struck the woodwork. The home support among the crowd of 998 were frustrated as Djurgården hit the front. Stinalisa Johansson’s cross from the right was turned into her own net by AIK captain Hannah Davison.
It got worse 10 minutes later as Sara Olai broke through to find Hayley Dowd to fire home. Three minutes before the break, AIK grabbed a lifeline when Chinyela Asher’s shot went in off of the post.
On the hour mark, AIK’s Linda Hallin saw her pass intercepted by Dowd who showed a clean pair of heels to score. However, just seven minutes later, the home side were back in it once more. Caroline Murray broke through and saw her shot rebound off of the post and in.
Jennie Nordin thought she had scored a dramatic leveller for AIK a minute into stoppage time when her shot bounced around on the goal line, but the officials ruled it had not gone over. Matters were decided four minutes later when Djurgården’s Lova Lundin scored from the penalty spot after Sara Nordin handled.
Since this match on Sunday, there have been major changes at the club with the departure of their entire management team. Sporting Director Anne Mäkinen, Head Coach Maiju Ruotsalainen and Assistant Coach Scott Swainston all left on Monday.
In their place come Herish Sadi as Acting Sports Director, with Jesper Björk and Nebojša Novaković as head coaches. Michael Nilsson is the new assistant coach. Speaking about the changes, Manual Lindberg, AIK’s CEO said: “Our goal this year is to establish ourselves in Damallsvenskan, which is also reflected in the resources allocated for the year. We can state that when a quarter of the season is played, we are not in line with set and expected performance goals and therefore we are forced to act.”
BK Häcken opened Round Seven on Friday night with a crucial match against top four rivals Linköping. After drawing three of their first six matches, Häcken knew that they could not afford to drop anything.
Spurred on by a crowd of 726 at their Bravida Arena home, the ever reliable Johanna Rytting Kaneryd gave her team the lead just after the quarter hour mark. Elin Rubensson’s sensational solo goal three minutes into the second half settled matters.
Taking possession just inside the Linköping half, Rubensson danced along the left, cut across the box and fired in a rocket from the edge of the box. It got worse for Linköping as Nilla Fischer was sent-off with twenty minutes left.
Rosengård are two points clear at the top after a 3-0 win at Umeå IK in front of 655 fans. Bea Sprung gave the defending champions the lead just before the half-hour mark with Emma Berglund doubling their advantage just ahead of half-time. The third came after 64 minutes thanks to Sofie Bredgaard.
The biggest crowd of the weekend was at Hammarby Idrottsplats for Hammarby’s home game with Vittsjö. There were 1,016 in the stands to see Sarah Stratigakis give the visitors the lead with just six minutes played.
However, the Stockholm-based side levelled eight minutes before half-time thanks to Emilia Larsson’s strike. Madelen Janogly’s goal with 11 minutes to play gave the home fans high hopes of a third win of the season. Yet, less than two minutes later, Australian international Clare Polkinghorne struck to seal Vittsjö a point.
Eskilstuna United are fifth after an excellent 2-1 win at Piteå who had only lost one game prior to this. Elin Rombing played in Mia Jalkerud to put the visitors ahead on 22 minutes. Hlín Eiríksdóttir supplied Aman Imo for Piteå’s equaliser just under 10 minutes into the second period to the delight of the crowd of 810. With five minutes to go, the points went the way of Eskilstuna after an own goal.
Kristianstads gained a comprehensive 4-1 win at home IF Brommapojkarna in front of 498 fans. With 20 minutes on the clock, Emma Petrovic supplied Michaela van den Bulk to put Kristianstads ahead. Just after the half-hour mark, Tabby Tindell grabbed her customary goal thanks to Delaney Pridham’s assist for her sixth strike in seven games. Pridham was involved in Kristianstads’ third as she supplied Petrovic in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Just after the hour mark, Bromma gained a faint hope when Tempest-Marie Norlin found Mathilda Splendor who scored. Yet, just four minutes later, once more Petrovic played in van den Bulk to seal the 4-1 success.
ROUND EIGHT FIXTURES: Djurgården v Umeå IK, IFK Kalmar v Vittsjö, Eskilstuna United v AIK, IF Brommapojkarna v Hammarby, KIF Örebro v BK Häcken, Linköping v Piteå, Rosengård v Kristianstads.
ELITETTAN
SELECTED MATCH DETAILS:
The already tight nature at the top of the Elitettan was further emphasised as four of the top five went head to head this week.
First up was the clash between Växjö in second, who travelled to third placed Alingsås FC United. A tough game ended goalless in front of 175 fans.
Leaders Lidköpings FK hosted a Sundsvalls side who went into the match with only one loss all season. It was the home side who emphasised their promotion credentials with a superb 3-0 success to extend their lead at the top to two points. Sarah Michael, and two goals from Ida Petersson (one penalty) sent the 156 fans home happy.
IK Uppsala renewed their promotion charge with a 4-1 thrashing of Jitex BK in front of 175 fans. They hit the front with just six minutes on the clock thanks to Nicole Robertson’s strike from Rosa Herros Ossorio’s link-up.
Herros Ossorio was a huge influence on the game. She also provided her team’s second as Helen Eke nodded home her cross thirteen minutes later put the hosts well on the way to the points. She then made it 3-0 just before the break after Wilma Thörnkvist’s ball from the left. with Robertson’s second goal on the hour mark sealing the win. Ella Ygfeldt hit a consolation for Jitex with 11 minutes remaining – she had previously hit the woodwork an incredible three times.
Round Six: IK Uppsala 4-1 Jitex BK, Team TG FF 2-0 Rävåsens IK Karlskoga, Alingsås FC United 0-0 Växjö, Bergdalens IK 2-2 Ifö Bromölla IF, Mallbackens IF Sunne 5-1 Älvsjö AIK FF, IFK Norrköping 2-1 Gamla Upsala SK, Lidköpings FK 3-0 Sundsvalls.
Round Seven (Fixtures): Jitex BK v Bergdalens IK, Gamla Upsala SK v Lidköpings FK, Mallbackens IF Sunne v IK Uppsala, Sundsvalls v Team TG FF, Växjö v IFK Norrköping, Älvsjö AIK FF v Rävåsens IK Karlskoga, Ifö Bromölla IF v Alingsås FC United.
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