Sweden round-up: All square in Stockholm
Tuesday, April 22, 2003
Article summary
Hammarby came from behind to draw 1-1 with AIK Solna in the first Stockholm derby of the 2003 season.
Article body
Hammarby came from behind to maintain their unbeaten start to the Allsvenskan as the first Stockholm derby of the 2003 season ended in a 1-1 draw against AIK Solna.
Huge crowd
A crowd of 36,000 was in attendance at the Råsunda stadium to witness an intense encounter in the Swedish capital. Hammarby, the home side, made a promising start to the match as Kennedy Bakircioglü and Karl-Oskar Fjörtoft established early control in midfield over AIK duo Stefan Izhisaki and Krister Nording.
Poor wall
Thus, it was something of a surprise when Nording took advantage of some poor organisation of the Hammarby wall to score from a 30 metre free-kick five minutes before half-time. As if affronted by that strike, Hammarby began the second period strongly and were back on terms within eight minutes.
Penalty converted
Suleyman Sleyman created the goal, powering through the AIK defence before being brought down by Karl Corneliusson inside the penalty area. Kennedy took the spot-kick, and converted with ease. Neither side fashioned a decisive opportunity during the remaining 37 minutes, meaning Hammarby climb to second and AIK sixth after three matches.
