Malmö's center back Colin Rösler made his first return to Strandvallen since last summer's move from Mjällby.
I had a good time here, so it was fun to be back.
The ambition was to travel home with three points, but it didn't go as Rösler thought. Mjällby equalized Malmö's lead and in the final stages, MFF player was given a red card after a situation with Alexander Johansson, former teammate in Mjällby.
"Stupid of me"
It's stupid of me, I shouldn't react and give the referee an opportunity. I have apologized for putting the team in a stupid situation, says Rösler.
A MFF loss in the Allsvenskan restart would have meant that the gold favorite from Skåne would have been a full eleven points behind Mjällby. Despite this pressing situation, Malmö initially looked comfortable on Strandvallen's green and even grass. Already in the ninth minute, Taha Ali skillfully created a good shooting opportunity and safely scored 1-0.
I got a one-on-one situation on the edge, turned in and it fit nicely in the far corner, says Ali about his goal.
The guests lacked some key players, but showed what a broad top they have in the squad. Early goal scorer Ali was in a brilliant mood and involved in most of Malmö's lively offense before the break in front of 5,969 spectators at the fully packed Strandvallen.
A very good game plan where we press them high and get good bites in the press. A bit more sharpness and we would have had 2-0. But you also have to praise the goalkeeper (Mjällby's Noel Törnqvist) for he makes a fantastic match, he makes some incredible saves, says Taha Ali.
Stroud equalized
In the 73rd minute, Mjällby's Elliot Stroud took advantage of the opportunity that Noel Törnqvist's great play gave his team. Stroud's equalizing goal means status quo in the table - Mjällby at the top with an eight-point lead over reigning champion Malmö in fifth place.
We needed the win to be able to close that gap. Given the circumstances, if I disregard the disappointment of not winning, I am satisfied with how we take on the match, says Malmö's coach Henrik Rydström a few minutes after the final signal, after being served coffee by coaching colleague Anders Torstensson in Mjällby.
I think we had enough ball wins on their half and created opportunities to score two goals, continues Rydström.
