MyPa celebrate cup triumph
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Article summary
Myllykosken Pallo-47 won the 2004 Finnish Cup with a last-gasp winner against FC Hämeenlinna on Saturday.
Article body
Aho salvo
It was a captain's performance from MyPa's Tuomas Aho, who with just 30 seconds remaining scored from a corner to seal a 2-1 victory for the favourites, who had knocked out league champions FC Haka and both of last year's finalists.
Advantage MyPa
Hämeenlinna came into the game after a relegation season in which they won just three league matches to finish bottom of the Veikkausliiga. So it was no surprise when MyPa took a 23rd-minute lead - Saku Puhakainen latching on to Niklas Tarvajärvi's flick to round goalkeeper Tuomas Peltonen and slide the ball into an empty net.
Hämeenlinna reward
Nonetheless, Hämeenlinna began the second period brightly and got their reward after 51 minutes. Goalkeeper Janne Korhonen failed to hold Juska Savolainen's shot and Australian defender Mark Byrnes converted the loose ball from close range.
Coach's verdict
Hämeenlinna then pushed forward and the game was heading towards extra time when Aho popped up to take the honours and secure a place in next season's UEFA Cup. MyPa coach Ilkka Mäkelä said: "I think we deserved to win. This wasn't our best display, but only the result mattered today."
