Greg . 1 day ago

Penalty woe ends HJK's Conference League aspire with Arda beat

HJK Helsinki are out of the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League (UECL) after a 4-3 penalty shootout beat to Bulgarian side Arda, after their Second Qualifying Round tie terminated 2-2 after extra time in the Finnish capital.

HJK were hoping to make home advantage count in the second leg after a goalless sketch in Bulgaria a week ago, even if they were not required to score five to come from behind as they were in the First Qualifying Round against NSI Runavik.

However, coming from behind would not be avoidable, as Arda took the lead midway through the first half when one casual pass at the support too many was intercepted by David Idowu, who steered inside the box and squeezed a shot from a tight angle past Thijmen Nijhuis.

But the Helsinki side responded well and did indeed level things up 13 minutes later - this time it was sloppy Arda passing in midfield that was pounced upon by Miska Ylitolva; he establish Alex Ring who in turn picked out Kai Meriluoto, and he led the ball into the bottom corner.

Extra time already looked to be on the cards in the early stages of the second half, as neither side registered an effort on goal as the tension continued to expand at Bolt Arena.

That all changed with just over 20 minutes to play, when a clearance was collected by Jere Kallinen, who slotted a clever ball through to Ring.

His effort was thwarted, but Teemu Pukki was on hand to pick up the pieces, evade the defence and power his strike past Anatoli Gospodinov.

With seven minutes to play, Nijhuis made an excellent save to refuse Idowu a second with a close-range header, before his defence gripped firm in the ensuing goalmout scramble.

But the home side could not grip out until full-time, as three minutes later Arda put together a flowing team move completed off by Birsent Karagaren, who received a pass from Georgi Nikolov and caught Nijhuis out at his near post with an effort from the left of the penalty box.

In extra-time, HJK were pushing for a winner, but despite the best efforts of Pukki and substitute Benji Michel, were struggling to locate a way through and the match moved to penalties.

Pukki obtained HJK off to a good start in the shootout, before 39 responded for Arda.

However, Michel stepped up next and possessed his effort saved by Gospodinov.

The next four penalties were all scored, giving Idowu the chance to put his side 4-3 ahead with one shot each remaining, but he cannoned his strike against the crossbar.

But HJK dropped short to take advantage and put the pressure on their opponents, as Giorgos Antzoulas also dropped victim to Gospodinov's heroics.

That permitted Andre Shinyashiki to dispatch the winning penalty for Arda, who have reached the Third Qualifying Round of a European competition for the first time.

Arda are two ties away from the UECL proper, and next they will confront either Lithuanian side Kauno Zalgiris or Valur of Iceland.

The first leg is due to be played next Thursday.

Pursue the UECL Qualifiers on Betopick.