League

Red Bull Arena
Spectators: 7828 (Terracing: 5872, Seating: 1800, VIP seats: 156) Vilppu Ryynänen blasted a shot towards the goal in the 3rd minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Lari Kurri having to make a save. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Jani Henriksson in the 5th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Lari Kurri saved Eräslahti IFK from getting behind. Ohto Lähtelä hit a great freekick 6 minutes into the match. Ilkka Nurminen fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 9th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Paavo Kaukomaa having to interfere. When New York Red Bulls's Jani Henriksson in the 11th minute got a chance for a shot 11th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Eräslahti IFK's goalie prevented a goal. In the 13th minute, Jani Henriksson got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Lari Kurri made an important save on a dangerous shot by Vilppu Ryynänen in the 18th minute. Lari Kurri made an important save on a dangerous shot by Vilppu Ryynänen in the 21st minute. Lari Kurri made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Jani Henriksson in the 23rd minute of play. When Eerikki Saarinen fell near the penalty area in the 24th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored New York Red Bulls's protests and gave Eerikki Saarinen a yellow card for diving instead. After a rather tough play, New York Red Bulls's Eerikki Saarinen got a free kick in the 24th minute. In the 36th minute Ilkka Nurminen shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Paavo Kaukomaa saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 38 minutes into the match, Jani Henriksson dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Lari Kurri, 1-0. After having played for 42 minutes, Jani Henriksson managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. New York Red Bulls's supporters crossed their fingers, but Jani Henriksson 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 44th minute Jani Henriksson shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Lari Kurri saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

Sami Miinalainen recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 51st minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Aku Noronen kicked well hit freekick during the 56th minute of the match. Kosti Rintala's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Paavo Kaukomaa read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 57th minute of play. Vilppu Ryynänen received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 67th minute. Lari Kurri tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The audience thought a goal was coming when Ilkka Nurminen got free with Paavo Kaukomaa in the 70th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 71st minute, Orvo Penttilä got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. In the 73rd minute the ball was on its way in behind New York Red Bulls's goalkeeper Paavo Kaukomaa, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. 73 minutes into the game, Benjamin Järvensivu was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. New York Red Bulls's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Eräslahti IFK the free kick. New York Red Bulls's Vilppu Ryynänen got a good chance for a goal in the 77th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Niklas Ojanen hit a great freekick 77 minutes into the match. In the 81st minute, New York Red Bulls's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Ilkka Nurminen fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. 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 Orvo Penttilä in the 82nd minute of play. In the 85th match minute, Eräslahti IFK was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Valdemar Tuomisalo to maneuver through the defense. 91 minutes into the match, New York Red Bulls's Jani Henriksson sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Lari Kurri narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Vilppu Ryynänen fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 95th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Lari Kurri having to interfere. New York Red Bulls were unable to convert their possession into goals, allowing Eräslahti IFK to leave the ground with a draw.