HJK – FK ATLANTAS 1-1, AGG. 3-1
Sierra Leone international Mohamed ‘Medo’ Kamara played a pivotal role dominating midfield ensuring his Helsinki side progress to the Europa League second qualifying round.
HJK Helsinki played to a 1-1 draw on Thursday in the first round second leg of the UEFA Europa League qualifying round against Lithuanian side FK Atlantas and 3-1 on aggregate to reach the second round of qualifiers.
Hosts Helsinki took the lead through their Nigerian defender Taye Taiwo from the penalty spot in the 30th minutes after Nikolai Alho (HJK) was fouled in the penalty area by Adamonis (Atlantas).
The Lithuanians rallied late on in the 76th minutes Marius Papšys equalised to helped his side avoid defeat away from home.
The Finnish league leaders will now face Bulgarian club Stara Zagora in the second qualifying round of the Europa League.
Colombian striker Alfredo Morelos, 20, accounted for both goals in the first leg.
The two legs will be held on 14 and 21 July and eighteen (18) clubs will enter the second qualifying round, joined by 48 winners from the first qualifying round.
The first leg fixture – Kamara’s Helsinki will be away at the Beroe Stadium in Bulgaria, before hosting their counterpart on Thursday, 21 July 19:00 at their Sonera Stadium.
The former Bolton midfielder has made 14 appearances this season for the Veikkausliiga leaders scoring one goal.
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