Third in the 2024 Allsvenskan, AIK was starting their European journey at this stage of the UECL, while Paide had achieved a 7-3 aggregate victory over the Magpies of Gibraltar in the First Qualifying Round.
It didn't take long for the team from Solna to get into gear in the competition - just seven minutes in, Johan Hove's cross was headed into the net by Bersant Celina.
Celina had another shot on goal shortly after, which goalkeeper Ebrima Jarju managed to save, but any hopes the Swedish side had of breaking through further were dashed. The only other shot on target before halftime came from Paide's Pa Corr, who forced a save from Kristoffer Nordfeldt.
The teams exchanged chances early in the second half, with Paide continuing to pose a threat through Daniel Luts and Henrik Ojamaa, but it was the Gnaget who ultimately found the second goal with a quarter of the match remaining.
Taha Ayari had the ball inside the area but was pushed wide, and from the left, he passed the ball back to Aron Csongvai, who had the time and space to fire a low shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards out.
That goal deflated the Estonian side, who could not create another clear chance to narrow the gap, and had Jarju to thank for keeping them in the contest, as he denied both Celina and Dino Besirovic as time was running out.
AIK, therefore, had to be satisfied with a two-goal lead to take back to Strawberry Arena for next Thursday's second leg.
Links
Contact
App
