League Play-Off

Pausunmäki Stadium
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Reino Nevanlinna started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. The audience thought a goal was coming when Jari Varis got free with Paavo Vähäsalo in the 3rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 7 minutes into the match, IF Kronan's goalkeeper Paavo Vähäsalo had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Jari Varis. Rovaniemen Pallo Seura's Jari Varis got a good chance for a goal in the 11th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. After a rather tough play, IF Kronan's Eemil Haanpää got a free kick in the 12th minute. Jari Varis could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 15th minute of the match, but Paavo Vähäsalo made a huge save. The corner ended in Aarne Niemelä almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but IF Kronan's Paavo Vähäsalo did a great save. A collision led to IF Kronan getting a freekick after 19 minutes play. Albert Pietikäinen hit a great ball. Pauli Grahn fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 21st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Paavo Vähäsalo having to interfere. In the 24th minute, Ali Välivaara hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Reino Nevanlinna took the ball and in the 25 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Saul Kangasniemi. Saul Kangasniemi dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 0-1. Saul Kangasniemi made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Reino Nevanlinna in the 29th minute of play. The crowd rose to their feet as Pauli Grahn kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Paavo Vähäsalo. That made the score 1-1 in the 31 minute of play. Jari Varis blasted a shot towards the goal in the 36th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Paavo Vähäsalo having to make a save. Paavo Vähäsalo showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Pauli Grahn in the 37th minute of the match. Jari Variss short, quick shot in the 42ndth minute got Paavo Vähäsalo to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. 44 minutes into the match, Rovaniemen Pallo Seura's Pauli Grahn sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Paavo Vähäsalo narrowly saved just below the crossbar. With his leg Paavo Vähäsalo managed to avoid a goal in the 46thth minute, when Rovaniemen Pallo Seura's Jari Varis fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-1.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Pauli Grahn was the one to do the kick off. Jari Varis sent away a hard shot on goal in the 56th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Paavo Vähäsalo showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Jari Varis in the 58th minute of the match. Paavo Vähäsalo showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Pauli Grahn in the 59th minute of the match. 62 minutes into the match, Rovaniemen Pallo Seura's Jari Varis sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Paavo Vähäsalo narrowly saved just below the crossbar. The supporters of IF Kronan booed when Rovaniemen Pallo Seura was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 63 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jari Varis didn't get a good kick on the ball. Jari Varis blasted a shot towards the goal in the 65th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Paavo Vähäsalo having to make a save. Reino Nevanlinna received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 69th minute. Saul Kangasniemi tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 71st minute the ball was on its way in behind Rovaniemen Pallo Seura's goalkeeper Saul Kangasniemi, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Paavo Vähäsalo took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Taisto Pelttari, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 82 played minutes Rovaniemen Pallo Seura got a freekick which was hit by Teemu Rauvola. In the 84th match minute, IF Kronan was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Eemil Haanpää to maneuver through the defense. Jari Varis struck a weak shot in the 85th minute. Paavo Vähäsalo didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Rovaniemen Pallo Seura. After 86 played minutes IF Kronan got a freekick which was hit by Mika Kujanpää. 89 minutes into the match, IF Kronan's goal looked a bit too open when Pauli Grahn came free, but Paavo Vähäsalo reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Jari Varis fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 90th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Paavo Vähäsalo having to interfere. If Aimo Ruutu had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 94th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Paavo Vähäsalo made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Jari Varis in the 97th minute of play. After some careless play in the IF Kronan defense, Jari Varis kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Paavo Vähäsalo. The IF Kronan fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Paavo Vähäsalo should have stopped the shot. IF Kronan's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.