Orebro SK dropped two vital points in the Superettan after conceding a 92nd-minute equaliser away to Helsingborgs IF. The match finished 1-1, with Ahmed Yasin's 75th-minute free-kick cancelled out by a late set-piece goal from Alexander Johansson.
As reported by Fotbollskanalen, the draw is a setback for a team sitting 15th in the Superettan table with 20 points from 21 games. Orebro SK have scored 21 goals and conceded 33, leaving them with a -12 goal difference. Heading into the Tuesday clash, the team was unbeaten in four matches including cup games and was seeking a second consecutive league win.
Why was the dropped points so costly?
The victory was within grasp as the clock ticked down. Offensive player Ahmed Yasin curled a well-placed free-kick past the Helsingborg keeper with about a quarter of an hour to play. However, the team could not hold on in the dying moments. In the 92nd minute, Helsingborg won a set piece, the ball bounced around in the penalty area, and Alexander Johansson fired home the leveller. It was a bitter end to the evening.
"It would have been really great to go home with three points after that nice goal," said Orebro SK's Ahmed Yasin in TV4's post-match broadcast. Conceding late goals has been an issue for Orebro SK this season, reflected in their negative goal difference. A look at the standings shows how tight it is at the bottom of the table, where every point is critical.
What is Orebro SK's current form?
Despite the disappointment in Helsingborg, the team has taken four points from its last two matches. Their recent form reads a draw and a win, which is an improvement. The team remains 27 points behind league leaders IFK Norrkoping, highlighting the scale of the challenge ahead. The four-match unbeaten run including the cup does provide a foundation to build upon.
Mikael Stahre, Helsingborg's recently appointed head coach, was not on the sideline for this match. His side was in tenth place before the round. For Orebro SK, the aim was to climb out of the relegation zone, but a single point was not enough to achieve that.
What's next for Orebro SK?
The follow-up is immediate and requires focus. Orebro SK's next fixture is already on Sunday, September 6th, when they host Ostersunds FK at home. It will be a tough task against a side currently sitting fourth in the Superettan. All details on the congested schedule can be found on our fixtures page.
"We have to continue as we are doing," said Ahmed Yasin in his TV4 interview. To succeed in that, the whole squad needs to contribute, and a detailed look at the squad can provide insight into the available players. The match against Ostersund is a direct chance to recover from the Helsingborg disappointment and secure three important home points.
