League Play-Off

Rauantaipale Stadium
Spectators: 36 (Terracing: 28, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Joakim Leinonen kicked off to start the match. Ilkka Ahola fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 3rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Rauli Liimatainen having to interfere. Rauli Liimatainen showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Joakim Leinonen in the 5th minute of the match. In the 7th minute the ball was on its way in behind Palikkala IFK's goalkeeper Vilho Koskela, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Rauli Liimatainen showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Ilkka Ahola in the 13th minute of the match. Joakim Leinonen sent away a hard shot on goal in the 14th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 17thth minute of the game Joakim Leinonen who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Rauantaipale IFK's Rauli Liimatainen was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Ilkka Ahola sent away a hard shot on goal in the 18th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Joakim Leinonen received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 21st minute. Rauli Liimatainen tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Joakim Leinonen in the 23rd minute of play forced Rauantaipale IFK's goalkeeper Rauli Liimatainen to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 27 played minutes Palikkala IFK got a freekick which was hit by Kaarle Santahuhta. In the 28th minute, Claes Nevanlinna fired a really elegant long shot, but Vilho Koskela threw himself and managed to get hold of the ball just in front of the right post. Joakim Leinonen sent away a hard shot on goal in the 31st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 33 minutes into the match, Palikkala IFK's goalkeeper Vilho Koskela had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Alvar Forss. When Kaarle Santahuhta fell near the penalty area in the 33rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Palikkala IFK's protests and gave Kaarle Santahuhta a yellow card for diving instead. Kaarle Santahuhta hit a great freekick 33 minutes into the match. Alvar Forss could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 35th minute of the match, but Vilho Koskela made a huge save. 36 minutes into the game, Eikki Saksinen was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Rauantaipale IFK's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Palikkala IFK the free kick. After 36 played minutes Rauantaipale IFK got a freekick which was hit by Eikki Saksinen. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Mark Myllynen in the 46th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Vilho Koskela saved Palikkala IFK from getting behind. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 1-0.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Mark Myllynen was the one to do the kick off. In the 54th minute Alvar Forss shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Vilho Koskela saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Mark Myllynen received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 57th minute. Vilho Koskela tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 59 minutes into the match, Rauantaipale IFK's goalkeeper Rauli Liimatainen had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Ilkka Ahola. Mark Myllynen might have been able to make a better finish in the 63rd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Vilho Koskela. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Mark Myllynen ran back to his position shaking his head. Rauantaipale IFK's Eikki Saksinen got his second yellow card of the match in the 66th minute. The referee ordered Eikki Saksinen off the ground. A collision led to Rauantaipale IFK getting a freekick after 67 minutes play. Eikki Saksinen hit a great ball. Rauli Liimatainen made a fantastic save in the 73rd minute, when Ilkka Ahola sent off a good shot on target. Rauantaipale IFK's Rauli Liimatainen played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Joakim Leinonen in the 85th minute of play. If Joakim Leinonen had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 89th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 93rd minute, Ilkka Ahola 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. After 94 played minutes Joakim Leinonen rounded Rauantaipale IFK's defense and shot a beautiful shot into goal via left pole - 1-1. The teams fought very hard right up to the final whistle. Both sets of players were happy to go away with a draw.