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Just a day after the New York Red Bulls confirmed his loan to Finnish club SJK, Anatole Abang made his debut for his new team. Finland's top flight, Veikkausliiga, is underway and Abang was on the bench for SJK's opening match of the new season.
Veikkausliigan avaus, SJK vs. FC Lahti tänään klo 19:30 OmaSp Stadionilla. Ennakkoliput: https://t.co/Sgd1Ev4o3a. #SJK07 #Veikkausliiga pic.twitter.com/fOfIjB4lNR
— SJK Seinäjoki (@SJK_Seinajoki) April 5, 2017
He was subbed in during the second half for Aristote Mboma.
62' SJK suorittaa vaihdon Mboma pois, kentälle Abang (0-0) #SJKlive
— SJK Seinäjoki (@SJK_Seinajoki) April 5, 2017
About 10 minutes later, Billy Ions won and converted a penalty for SJK.
71' IONS LAUKOO SJK KAUDENAVAUSMAALIN PILKULTA 1-0 #SJKlive #Veikkausliiga pic.twitter.com/WKL9LYc40f
— SJK Seinäjoki (@SJK_Seinajoki) April 5, 2017
But Lahti equalized about 10 minutes after that.
81' FC Lahti tasoittaa, kun Simonovski puskee kulmasta pallon maaliin #SJKlive #Veikkausliiga
— SJK Seinäjoki (@SJK_Seinajoki) April 5, 2017
The match ended 1-1.
Post-match, SJK head coach Sixten Bostrom told local media the result was "not satisfactory", noting he expected his team to win its home games and there had been opportunities to put the game away.
Abang and SJK next play on April 8 - on the road against VPS.