Online Reporter
Tawanda Maswanhise’s Motherwell will face last season’s Europa League finalists Freiburg for a place in the Conference League proper after two sensational Ibrahim Said goals saw off HJK Helsinki at a bouncing Fir Park on Thursday night.
The Nigerian – who missed the 1-1 first-leg draw in the Finnish capital last week because of visa issues — lifted the burden from last year’s club top scorer in all competitions, Zimbabwean Maswanhise. He ensured HJK knew exactly who he was with a pair of outrageous solo goals to send the Steelman through to the play-offs.
His first, a thunderous finish after driving down on goal and leaving defenders for dust, was somehow eclipsed 13 minutes later on the hour mark after waltzing through the visiting rearguard and poking beyond a helpless Maatej Markovic.
Said’s stunning show spearheaded a special performance from the Steelmen who – after an end-to-end, entertaining opening – took an impressive grip of this tie. The seeds were sown with a strong ending to the first half where Said, Tawanda Maswanhise, Regan Charles-Cook and the imperious Emmanuel Longelo tested the nervy visitors.
But the Finns didn’t take heed of the warning shots and were left shellshocked by Said’s speed and superb finishing. Alfred Johansson’s side now have a glamour tie against the German giants, who will visit Lanarkshire next Thursday, before hosting the Scots in two weeks time.
If Maswanhise do not move before deadline, Mothwerwell could be unplayable again this season.
The Steelmen could still do with a goal-scoring striker, but that will not be the chat among fans. Instead, it will be about travel plans to Germany thanks to their showman, Said.
The 24-year-old attacking midfielder was unplayable in the second half. HJK didn’t know where he was at any given moment, except when he was whisking away in celebration. It was no shock his first came from work down the left. Longelo was tremendous, yet again, and traumatised the Finnish right-hand side.
But Said cut right through the spine of their team for his second. Two better individual goals you’ll struggle to see all season. There wasn’t exactly pressure on Motherwell, but there was a heap of hope and expectation – quite rightly – given the wave the club are riding and their performance last week. – BBC/ Zimpapers Sport.
