FC Haka 4-0 Cork City (Agg 6-2)

Cork suffered their biggest European defeat since losing to Slavia
Prague in 1994, when they bowed out of the UEFA Cup in Valkiaekoski, Finland.

The home side cracked home two goals in the opening 15 minutes. First Janne Mahlakarto scored from close range with just 10 minutes on the clock, and soon afterwards the best player on the park, 38 year old Valere Popovitch, scored a gem, lifting the ball over Michael Devine from inside the box.

FC Haka added two goals after the break through Mickko Manninen and a free kick from Valerie Minkinen, with Cork ending with ten men.

The sides drew two weeks ago at Turner's Cross when the Finnish team led by 2-0 early in the second half, before goals from the prolific Dave Mooney and skipper Dan Murray saw Cork draw level, and they should have won with full back Neale Horgan hitting the goalpost and cross bar twice in the closing stages.

Cork manager Alan Matthews went for a 4-5-1 formation, with forward Denis Behan left on the bench. He was replaced by the versatile Cillian Lordan, who came in on the right of midfield, with Dave Mooney scorer of 20 goals this season the lone striker.

With temperatures reaching 29 degrees celcius at kick off time, it was going to be difficult for the Irish side, and it was soon turned into a mountain to climb for the Leesiders when the home side struck two goals in the opening quarter of an hour.

After ten minutes Toni Lehtinen broke down the right wing and crossed for Mahlakerto, who also scored in Turner's Cross, and he tucked the ball home from six yards.

It got worse for Cork just five minutes later when Lehtinen was again involved; this time he set up the Russian born Popovitch, who delightfully chipped goalkeeper Devine from 15 yards.

The 38 year old, who has been one of the best players in Finnish football for over a decade, did not play in Cork as he does not like flying. He was a thorn in Cork's side in the opening 45 minutes.

He had a fine volley from just before half time well saved by a busy Devine, with Cork's best chance in the first half coming to Darren Murphy. His close range effort was blocked by Haka goalkeeper Alexander Dovbnya.

Cork introduced Behan at half time, but the Cork side were never at the races in their poorest European performance in 14 years.

Mickko Manninen made it 3-0 with a 12 yard shot past Devine and a free kick from the touchline by Minkinen went all the way to the net with 13 minutes remaining.

Behan was sent off near the end for a second yellow card for showing dissent to the Latvian referee.

FC HAKA: Dovbnya; Kangaskorpi, Okkonen, Vilianen, Kaupilla, Manninen, Parvianen, Lehtinen, Mahlakaarto, Fowler, Popovitch.
Substitutes: Mattila for Lihtinen 52 mins, Minkenen for Viljanen 61.

CORK: Devine; Horgan, Murray, Sullivan, Danny Murphy; Lordan, Healy, Gamble, Darren Murphy, Kearney; Mooney.
Substitutes: McNulty, Behan for Lordan h/t, Mulcahy, O Connor, Ryan for Kearney 61, Kelly, O'Flynn for Mooney 81.

Referee: Roman Lajkus (Latvia).