HJK secured a 2-0 lead with goals from Hassane Bande and Santeri Hostikka, but Aberdeen managed to salvage a point with goals from Angus MacDonald and Duk. The match in Finland experienced a 13-minute delay to clear snow off the pitch. Both HJK and Aberdeen are already eliminated from the Europa Conference League
Aberdeen staged a comeback from being two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw against HJK in a Europa Conference League match, which faced disruptions due to a Helsinki snowstorm.
The game experienced a brief pause in the second half as fans threw snowballs, followed by a more extended delay to clear the pitch with snow plows. Despite finding themselves trailing by two goals within 33 minutes, Aberdeen gained hope with Angus MacDonald’s remarkable goal.
Duk leveled the score in the 56th minute, just before the 13-minute delay caused by the adverse weather conditions. The Bolt Arena’s artificial pitch had snow from the beginning, prompting the use of an orange ball, and the persistent snowfall continued with temperatures dropping to -5°C.
Following the restart, Aberdeen finished the game on a strong note but couldn’t capitalize on several late chances. Both teams had already been relegated to a bottom-two finish in Group G after the fourth matchday, and HJK’s domestic season concluded on October 21 when they secured the Finnish title.
Barry Robson made eight changes to the team that started the previous draw with Rangers. Angus MacDonald, making his first start in almost three months after a season marred by injuries, contributed to the squad, while 20-year-old Jack Milne and summer signing Pape Habib Gueye made their inaugural starts for the club.
In the initial stages, Milne displayed promise with a commendable run and cross that prompted shots from Duk and Gueye, although neither managed to break through to challenge the home goalkeeper.
HJK quickly gained control, and Kelle Roos made two notable saves with his feet before the home side’s pressure paid off in the 16th minute. Slobodan Rubezic’s over-eager attempt to intercept a forward pass left an opening that Hassane Bande capitalized on, firing a high shot into the net.
In the ensuing moments, the home team hit the post and the bar, while Aberdeen missed two opportunities to apply pressure from free-kicks following tactical fouls.
Throughout the game, Aberdeen faced several more challenges, as the Kosovan referee, Genc Nuza, adopted a lenient approach, resulting in two bookings for each side.
Aberdeen fell further behind when Santeri Hostikka maneuvered past three weak challenges and directed a shot through a crowded goalmouth into the bottom corner.
Aberdeen unexpectedly pulled one back in the 41st minute when MacDonald controlled a pass 30 yards out and skillfully fired the bouncing ball into the top corner.
Manager Barry Robson made two halftime changes, with Ester Sokler replacing the ineffective Gueye, and Jamie McGrath coming on for Ryan Duncan.
The referee enlisted Jonny Hayes to deter Aberdeen fans from throwing snowballs as HJK prepared to take a goal-kick early in the second half. Sokler’s persistent pressure also disrupted the home defense.
Sokler’s hard work led to a corner, resulting in Aberdeen’s equalizer in the 56th minute. Richard Jensen flicked on Connor Barron’s delivery, and Duk nodded home at the far post.
In the 72nd minute, HJK substitute Jukka Raitala fired over from six yards before Nuza decided to take the players off.
Upon resuming play, Aberdeen emerged as the stronger team. McGrath and Sokler each threatened twice, and substitute Bojan Miovski’s effort was saved as Aberdeen counterattacked.
The final whistle left Aberdeen disappointed as they sought a winner on a pitch covered in snow, with the lines barely visible.
Barry Robson, Aberdeen’s manager, commented on the challenging conditions, acknowledging the pitch wasn’t ideal, and some players struggled initially. Despite the tough environment from extensive travel, he felt Helsinki handled the conditions better in the first half. Robson emphasized the need for his team to adapt and play with proximity to opponents on the artificial turf.
He credited Aberdeen’s second-half performance, highlighting a marked improvement and the squad’s resilience, eventually earning the fans’ support. Robson expressed disappointment that, despite the comeback from a two-goal deficit, they didn’t secure the win, which he believed they deserved.
Robson spoke highly of the fans, noting their efforts to boost the team, and felt Aberdeen came close to clinching the victory they worked hard for.
Looking ahead, Aberdeen’s upcoming game is against Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership, followed by hosting Kilmarnock. As for HJK, their Finnish domestic season has concluded, and their next match is the final Europa Conference League group game away against PAOK.
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