League Play-Off

Skin Bracer Arena
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Vilppu Vehmanen kicked off to start the match. New York Red Bulls's Paavo Kaukomaa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Vilppu Vehmanen in the 4th minute of play. Paavo Kaukomaa acted impressively in front of the goal and made a superb save when he, in the 16th minute, took the ball on the long shot from Jyrki Timonen. After a defensive mix-up in Mennen FC's zone, Eerikki Saarinen stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Hemmo Peltonen came out of the goal and Eerikki Saarinen tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After having played for 28 minutes, Eerikki Saarinen managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. New York Red Bulls's supporters crossed their fingers, but Eerikki Saarinen was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 36th minute the ball was on its way in behind Mennen FC's goalkeeper Hemmo Peltonen, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Antti Blom fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 39th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Paavo Kaukomaa having to interfere. After a defensive mix-up in Mennen FC's zone, Eerikki Saarinen stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Hemmo Peltonen came out of the goal and Eerikki Saarinen tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 42nd minute, Arttu Timonen hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 0-0 after a close first half.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Eerikki Saarinen stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Eerikki Saarinen received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 52nd minute. Hemmo Peltonen tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Eerikki Saarinen in the 55th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Hemmo Peltonen prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After having played for 57 minutes, Lasse Leppilampi managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Mennen FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Lasse Leppilampi was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After some careless play in the New York Red Bulls defense, Vilppu Vehmanen kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Paavo Kaukomaa. The New York Red Bulls fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Paavo Kaukomaa should have stopped the shot. The supporters of Mennen FC booed when New York Red Bulls was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 61 match minutes in a wonderful position. Niklas Ojanen didn't get a good kick on the ball. Ari Vehanen did an outstanding performance 63 minutes into the match, when he by himself got past the opposing team's defense and with a quick scored 2-0 to the right of an irritated Paavo Kaukomaa in the goal. Paavo Kaukomaa made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lasse Leppilampi in the 73rd minute of play. Paavo Kaukomaa showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Vilppu Vehmanen, who was totally free with the ball in the 74th minute. A collision led to Mennen FC getting a freekick after 76 minutes play. Ari Vehanen hit a great ball. Niklas Ojanen, 77 minutes into the match, dribbled the ball up the side of the field and decided to take a long shot at the goal. Unfortunately, the ball was poorly hit and landed closer to the corner than to the goal. Hemmo Peltonen took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Eerikki Saarinen, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. New York Red Bulls's Paavo Kaukomaa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Vilppu Vehmanen in the 84th minute of play. Hemmo Peltonen didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Visa Junkka went, in the 86th minute, to the upper right corner, 2-1 was the resulting score. New York Red Bulls's Paavo Kaukomaa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Lasse Leppilampi in the 92nd minute of play. If Vilppu Vehmanen had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 96th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Mennen FC's supporters were highly satisfied with the result. They cheered their team of the pitch, having watched them win a very even match.