League

Hirvikylä Stadion
Spectators: 6797 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1797, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Jani Henriksson started the match with the kick off. Matias Laitila struck a weak shot in the 4th minute. Paavo Kaukomaa didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Real Kemi. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Allan Laurila in the 7th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Paavo Kaukomaa saved New York Red Bulls from getting behind. In the 8th minute, Real Kemi's Esa Lehtimäki ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Paavo Kaukomaa. Paavo Kaukomaa yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-0. In the 12th minute, Esa Lehtimäki 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. Turkka Manninen took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Vilppu Ryynänen, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Antti Niskala's late challenge caught a New York Red Bulls's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Antti Niskala helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, Real Kemi's Antti Niskala got a free kick in the 21st minute. New York Red Bulls's Niklas Ojanen couldn't find anyone to pass the ball to, so he shot a long shot towards the goal in the 22nd minute. The shot went wide which resulted in a goal kick for Real Kemi. In the 26th minute, Jani Henriksson left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The New York Red Bulls fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-2. In the 33rd minute, Vilppu Ryynänen 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 36th match minute, New York Red Bulls was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Jaakkima Jokela to maneuver through the defense. In the 37th minute, New York Red Bulls's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Esa Lehtimäki fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. Vilppu Ryynänen sent away a hard shot on goal in the 39th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After a rather tough play, Real Kemi's Rainer Loikala got a free kick in the 40th minute. Eerikki Saarinen sent away a hard shot on goal in the 45th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The supporters of New York Red Bulls booed when Real Kemi was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 46 match minutes in a wonderful position. Allan Laurila didn't get a good kick on the ball. Niklas Ojanen made a great header on New York Red Bulls's corner, it was just that Real Kemi's Turkka Manninen managed to reach the ball for a save. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 1-2 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

Matias Laitila sent away a hard shot on goal in the 53rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Jani Henriksson received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 58th minute. Turkka Manninen tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. A collision led to Real Kemi getting a freekick after 64 minutes play. Allan Laurila hit a great ball. 70 minutes in the game, Vilppu Ryynänen fired away an excellent shot, which passed to the side of the right post without Turkka Manninen having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 71st minute, Jani Henriksson managed to get in a good position for a shot. New York Red Bulls's supporters rose to their feet, but Jani Henriksson was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Turkka Manninen breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 73 minutes into the match, New York Red Bulls's Jani Henriksson sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Turkka Manninen narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Matias Laitila recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 76th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. A collision led to New York Red Bulls getting a freekick after 78 minutes play. Benjamin Järvensivu hit a great ball. 80 minutes into the match, New York Red Bulls's goal looked a bit too open when Matias Laitila came free, but Paavo Kaukomaa reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Jaakkima Jokela charged in rather forcefully in the 80th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Jaakkima Jokela the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 81st match minute, New York Red Bulls was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Jaakkima Jokela to maneuver through the defense. 86 minutes into the match, Real Kemi's goal looked a bit too open when Jani Henriksson came free, but Turkka Manninen reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 90 played minutes New York Red Bulls got a freekick which was hit by Eerikki Saarinen. After having played for 91 minutes, Esa Lehtimäki managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Real Kemi's supporters crossed their fingers, but Esa Lehtimäki 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 93rdth minute of the game Matias Laitila who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but New York Red Bulls's Paavo Kaukomaa was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Jeers came from both ends of the stadium when the final whistle went. Neither team had looked impressive and the draw seeemd a fair result.