Friendly League

Kalpakikkailijat
Spectators: 41 (Terracing: 32, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) Rakkestad IF's Christian Halstensen started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. When Yrjänä Vihtilä fell near the penalty area in the 4th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Karhulan Veikot's protests and gave Yrjänä Vihtilä a yellow card for diving instead. After a rather tough play, Karhulan Veikot's Yrjänä Vihtilä got a free kick in the 4th minute. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Christian Halstensen in the 6th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Samuel Pihkala saved Karhulan Veikot from getting behind. Samuel Pihkala took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Otto Klepp, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Karhulan Veikot's Samuel Pihkala played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Otto Klepp in the 11th minute of play. Otto Klepp scored 0-1 in the 14th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Samuel Pihkala, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. An unexpectedly hard shot by Christian Halstensen in the 18th minute of play forced Karhulan Veikot's goalkeeper Samuel Pihkala to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 19 minutes had been played when some careless play by Karhulan Veikot's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Christian Halstensen was slow to take the kick. During this time Rakkestad IF's players had a chance to rest. After taking down the ball on Rakkestad IF's corner Christian Halstensen fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Samuel Pihkala quite easily take care of the ball. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Ismo Kanto during the 22nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 25th minute the ball was on its way in behind Karhulan Veikot's goalkeeper Samuel Pihkala, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. When Rakkestad IF's Christian Halstensen in the 26th minute got a chance for a shot 26th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Karhulan Veikot's goalie prevented a goal. Kenneth Friis showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Aadolf Martikainen, who was totally free with the ball in the 28th minute. Jukka Ahonen received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 33rd minute. Kenneth Friis tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Samuel Pihkala took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Christian Halstensen, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 45th minute, one of Karhulan Veikot:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Karhulan Veikot. The Karhulan Veikot players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Rakkestad IF were winning 0-2.

In the 55th minute, Ismo Kanto hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Samuel Pihkala made a fantastic save in the 58th minute, when Christian Halstensen sent off a good shot on target. After some careless play in the Rakkestad IF defense, Ismo Kanto kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Kenneth Friis. The Rakkestad IF fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Kenneth Friis should have stopped the shot. Yrjänä Vihtilä hit a great freekick 69 minutes into the match. 80 minutes into the game, Christian Halstensen lined in a short shot 1-3 behind a frustrated Samuel Pihkala. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Otto Klepp in the 86th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Samuel Pihkala prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Samuel Pihkala made a fantastic save in the 88th minute, when Christian Halstensen sent off a good shot on target. If Hans-Petter Krogh had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 97th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Rakkestad IF played a much better game than Karhulan Veikot and deserved their victory. The Karhulan Veikot players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.