Syrianska FC 2-0 GIF Sundsvall

Södertälje – Nahir Oyal scored his first goal in Superettan and Ijeh the other as Syrianska FC produced a commanding second-half display to see off GIF Sundsvall at Södertälje Fotbollsarena.

The victory sees Syrianska FC grabbing a hold to the third place ahead of Monday and Tuesday's fixtures, which see forth-placed Örgryte home to Falkenberg and Ängelholm at away to Landskrona.

Melkemichel rang in the changes after earlier weekend's draw to Ängelholm. With Velic back from injury, the Suryoye (Arameans) opted for 4-2-3-1 with Massi and Saleh wide on the wings in support of Ijeh, while Velic started alongside Barsom and Hagernäs in midfield. GIF Sundsvall was without Skulason and Billy Berntsson after being suspended earlier this week.

Both teams started off lively at Södertälje, with the majority of possession belonging to GIF Sundsvall, with the home side trying to rely mainly on the counter attack and keeping possessions. As GIF Sundsvall continued to keep the ball and pushed further forward, it was only a matter of time before the either side would break deadlock, and Massi was unlucky not to see his name on the score sheet as he fired just wide from the edge of the area.
After a weak shot from Massi and a decent corner from Velic, it was Nigerian forward Ijeh who posed the main threat in the first half with some trademark mazy runs, one costing a yellow card and another forcing a save in the goal line from a defender.

Syrianska FC, though, had better chances after the opening forty-five and Ijeh fired wide from an inviting position as early as the 50 minute. Ijeh had another chance when he headed narrowly wide a cross from an in-form Saleh.
After the 60 min Melkemichel decided to bring in Isa Demir for an injured Rabi Elia. 10 minutes later when Syrianska FC struggled to gain the upper hand, Melkemichel brought on two pairs of fresh legs Dinko Felic and Nahir Oyal for Joakim Hagernäs and Robert Massi.

Five minutes later Nahir Oyal broke the deadlock, powering towards the box and sidestepping before sending an unstoppable shot past Tommy Naurin in the Sundsvall goal. It was a huge joy to see the young Syriac (Aramean) hit the scoresheet for the first time in Superettan. All the players gathered around him to celebrate the goal as the whole crowd was shouting “Suryoye” “Suryoye” “Suryoye”.

Ijeh celebrated his eighth with Syrianska's second goal when he raced on to Felic's superb through pass and headed beyond a hapless Naurin.

To their credit, GIF Sundsvall went down fighting as Åkeby's men attacked the left wing in a final period marred by a spate of bookings. Barsom was running constantly and was everywhere as Saleh also grew bigger as the game went on. Never have I seen him run so much and stress his opponents as he did this evening. The three points gives the Suryoye a hold on the third place.

Syrianska FC 2-0 GIF Sundsvall (HT: 0-0)


Text: Emanuel Yacoub
Photo: Richard Ström