Stockholm derby and gold struggle in the background – a lot was at stake when Hammarby received AIK at 3 arena on Sunday.
With the knowledge that a point loss would mean SM gold for Mjällby, there was an extra charge in the air.
AIK came to southern Stockholm with a heavily depleted squad. Dino Besirovic, Bersant Celina and Thomas Isherwood were all suspended, in addition, the cog Eskil Edh was missing, which forced coach Mikkjal Thomassen to make several adjustments.
It was also the home team that took the initiative directly. "Bajen" controlled the game and pushed back a defensively oriented AIK.
Goal king struck
The pressure from Hammarby grew, and just before the break came the payoff. Montader Madjed scored a low cross that Nahir Besara steered in behind Kristoffer Nordfeldt to 1–0. Besara's 16th full hit for the season.
AIK was close to a quick reply when Zadok Yohanna headed towards the goal but Warner Hahn stretched out and tipped the ball into the post. Thus, the home team went to halftime in the lead.
In the second half, Hammarby continued to control ball possession and got payoff again after 60 minutes of play through Madjed.
AIK reduced with just over ten minutes left when the Hungarian Aron Csongvai beautifully curled in a free kick. Closer than that, however, the away team never came and the jubilant Hammarby players got to dance with the home crowd.
"Only we who know"
Hammarby's 1–0 scorer Nahir Besara was pleased after the win and took the opportunity to send a pass to his rivals.
Is it only we who have won a derby this year or? Then it's only we who know how it feels. It feels wonderful, our fans deserve this, he says to HBO Max.
2–0 scorer Montader Madjed thought the win was fully justified.
We are a better team than them, simply. We have the whole game. It could have been three, four zero.
"Stumbling close"
John Guidetti was substituted in for AIK in the final stages. The striker got a giant chance with five minutes left of the game but couldn't help the team to equalize.
Sour. Sad. Disappointed. I think that I won't get this finish good enough. Probably I should just have swept it with my left. But what can you do. It's a pity, I won't blame anything, it's stumbling close.
Hammarby's gold hopes now live at least 24 hours longer. Mjällby can decide the gold struggle if the team beats IFK Göteborg away on Monday.
