Europa League Preview: Cork City -v- BK Hacken

CORK CITY

Cork City will be looking to make it another memorable European night at Turners Cross on Thursday when they take on Sweden’s BK Hacken in what is their 50th game in Europe.

After Sean Maguire scored his third penalty in three Europa League games last week in Gothenburg, City have a vital away goal heading into the second leg, as John Caulfield’s side hope to drive onto the next round bouyed by the large and passionate crowd which is expected to be in attendance.

Cork acquitted themselves very well indeed in the first leg against Hacken over in Sweden and it says everything about how good City were on the night that they felt a sense of disappointment that they did not come away with a win.  

That was despite the fact that some people, especially over in Sweden, were expecting the tie to be a mere formality for Hacken. But there is an immense attitude with Caulfield’s side, who look better equipped to deal with the European challenge compared to 12 months ago.

However their opening leg performance should prove that they are more than able to put it up to Hacken, who appeared to underestimate the fight and ability on the ball that City possess.

Credit to the Cork backroom team,  who certainly appeared to do a good job in analysing their opposition, that is taken the opening leg into consideration.

It has the potential to be  massive night at Turners Cross, but City will have to be more than wary that the Swedish outfit provide a number of threats, so just like they have done so in the league domestically, the Cork defence will need another big night .

Ahead of the game, City’s main injury concern is over Greg Bolger, while Steven Beattie and Kenny Browne are nursing knocks.

BK HACKEN

The Swedish Cup holders make the trip to Ireland feeling that they are able to play at a much higher level and are able to progress to the next round on Thursday night.

The proof that the Swedish league is at a much higher level to the League Of Ireland can be illustrated alone by looking at both side’s squads and the difference is that BK Hacken have a multi national squad, with players in their squad Brazil, Finland, Ghana, DR Congo and of course, Sweden.

Among them was the scorer from last week’s tie, John Owoeri, who has been capped for Nigeria at international level, including scoring a goal at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championships. He is one of their main dangermen  in the first leg and will need tight marshalling by the City defence if the Leesiders want to progress.

Some of their other star men include Brazilian Paulinho and Mohammed Abubakari from Ghana.

In recent days, Hacken  have signed Alhassan Kamara,  a Sierra Leone international, who with his former club, Orebro, once scored a hat trick against BK Hacken in just 7 minutes.

He could be a real danger man that is for sure, but remains to be seen if he can be registered on time for this clash, City will be hoping that it is too late.

Though they were good going forward at times, especially in the second half, the Swedish side did look quite vunerable when Cork City attacked them, proven by the fact that John Caulfield’s side felt that they could have came away with more than a draw.

Manager Peter Gerhardsson is confident that his side will still progress to the next qualifing round of the competition, but they will most certainly could be in for a cracking contest if City are at their best, with the Irish side most definatly will not be lacking in passion one would expect.

However, it will be interesting to see how this side react to playing in a tight ground such as Turners Cross, when the home fans will be right on top of the action.

Hacken feel that they underperformed in the first leg and that there is more in the tank and will be hoping for an improved display in Thursday night on their part.

But their away European form is not the best though, as they have only won 2 out of their 8 games in Europe, since their first continental clash in 2007.

Referee:    Carlos Xistra  (POR)

MATCH STATS

In their 4 European home games against sides from Sweden, they are unbeaten, including a 1-0 win over IFK Gothenburg(UEFA Cup, 1999/2000)  , a 3-1 win against Malmo(Intertoto Cup, 2004), a 0-0 draw against Djurgardens ( UEFA Cup, 2005/2006)  and a 1-1 draw against Hammarby(Intertoto Cup, 2007) City’s record against Swedish opposition should give them plenty of encouragment.

BK Hacken  was started by a group of 14- to 15-year-old youngsters, and they had a wish to not just play football for fun but to create an organisation and play in the national league system.

BK Hacken’s best ever league finish was their 2nd placed conclusion to the 2012 Allsvenskan.

BETTING

Cork City 17/10; Draw 11/5; BK Hacken 7/5.   

PREDICTION

Cork City FC 2-1 BK Hacken.

Cork City

Injured: John Dunleavy

Doubtful: Greg Bolger, Steven Beattie, Kenny Browne.

Suspended: None.

BK Hacken

Injured: N/A

Doubtful: N/A

Suspended: Baba Mensah.