For the second year running Hacken dramatically missed out on Europe despite attempting strong late push in search of top 3 finish. Just like last season the main problems were on the road with Hacken the only team apart from champions AIK to go unbeaten at home up until the final round.
Inconsistent start to the season – 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats in the first 6 rounds – made Hacken play catch up all the way through. In fact come August Yellow and Blacks looked even well out of it after collecting just 5 points from 7 games on each side of the summer break.
However, Paulinho was simply outstanding in the number ten role and he became the league’s top goalscorer. Coach Alm also deserves praise as he took the brave decision to release in the summer the ineffective forwards El Kabir and Kamara and instead resign Jeremejeff. The latter formed amazing partnership up front with Paulinho from July onwards and this was one of the main reasons why Hacken got back into consideration for a top 3 finish.
This was not the only good transfer move from the gaffer, who also added extra stability in defence during the summer months with the signings of Toivo and Ekpolo, who both became regular starters at the back. Their impacts were clear with Hacken conceding more than 1 goal just once in the 13 games since their arrivals.
The turning point was round 16 when late Paulinho goal brought a 2:1 away win vs. Orebro, which started a run of 11 wins in 13 games. This amazing streak of form matched only by AIK saw Hacken move right behind third place come round 29 when a direct clash vs. Hammarby was expected to decide the destiny of the last European visa. Despite doing everything they could Hacken lost 0:1 and with nothing to play for in the final match they suffered their first and only home defeat.
The displays and football shown past the summer break must give great hope though and after two years of near misses Hacken’s hunger to be one of the major players in 2019 would be great.
