AIK is also in the European Conference League.
Axel Björnström’s goal in extra time was decisive after great drama in the qualifying meeting with Vorskla Poltava.
But the question is – was that really the point?
– My feeling is that it is there, says Björnstrom on the Sportbladet broadcast.
After losing 2-3 away at the makeshift Vorskla Poltava stadium in Stockholm, AIK was at a disadvantage ahead of Wednesday. Europa Conference LeagueQualifying round in Friends Square.
A one-goal win was required to take the double-take into overtime. Win at least two to upgrade.
It was the first – and in the end also progress.
But the question is whether the critical AIK’s goal is really just one.
‘It seems doubtful’
In terms of setting a tangled corner, Axel Björnström fired half a ball towards Vorsklamålet.
The goalkeeper, initially challenged by controlling his player, got a claw on the ball on the goal line and initially appeared to save the ball at the last second.
But after a moment of waiting, the Serbian referee signaled for a goal and cheers erupted in the Friends Square. This is after the help of an assistant assistant.
Vorsklas players protested strongly, as they believed that the ball never crossed the goal line. Something that was, to say the least, hard to see even in replays.
– says expert Pär Lagerström on the Sportbladet broadcast about the target – which seems doubtful – which is undeniably a “ghost target”.
– Yes… it’s hard to decide. Unbelievable we didn’t put him in second place, says Björnstrom himself when he sees the replay at the Sportbladet studio after the match.
Mendes gave AIK the lead
Before that, we saw an AIK who from the start looked much sharper than it was a week ago
Despite chances in both directions, the score stayed 0-0 within 45 minutes. But not more than half full.
Because in the extra third minute of the first half, the home team will finally achieve the goal they were looking for. Erick Otieno fell into the penalty area after a nice offensive streak but still managed to pass the ball to Joe Mendes. The 19-year-old right-back went to the Vorskla players in the net.
– We’re more connected this time. We deserved to be 1-0 in the first half, says John Gedetti at Sportbladet’s first half studio.
We have to keep finding the ball behind their back line.
And they continued their undefeated path, too, at least in terms of the game.
To the third preliminary round
In the second half, AIK almost completely grabbed the baton against a Vorskla who looked increasingly tired. Juede had his chances. Nicholas Stefanelli too, including a free kick he hit ten minutes before normal time. But when the referee Milos Milanovic whistled the final whistle, the score was 1-0.
3-3 in total – hence the extra time.
Once in extra time, both teams had excellent chances of finding a crucial goal.
This, then, before Axel Björnstrom, in the 107th minute, got the final, and perhaps somewhat stealthy, word and sent AIK into the next qualifying round with a 2-0 win (4-3 aggregate).
There, AIK will meet the winner of the meeting between North Macedonia Shkendija and Latvian Valmiera. Shekendia won the first match for that double header 2-1.
