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Motherwell soar into Conference League glamour tie as electric playmaker inspires Steelmen past HJK Motherwell faced off against Finnish opposition in their Conference League third round qualifier. Motherwell are through to a dream Conference League play-off clash with Freiburg, after defeating HJK Helsinki 2-0 at Fir Park, 3-1 on aggregate in their third round qualifier. Ibrahim Said broke the deadlock after half-time with a mazy solo effort, after the Premiership side had the better of the attacking play in the first half, with a few half chances threatening the Helsinki goalmouth. They got their reward upon returning from the dressing room and he soon scored another outstanding goal after good build-up play allowed him to burst past several defenders, giving his side breathing space. Alfred Johansson’s side now face Bundesliga opposition who reached May’s Europa League final, the first leg at home on August 20, before a trip to Europa-Park-Stadion on August 27. The Fir Park team headed into this game with a 1-1 draw from the away leg in Helsinki that put themselves in a strong position to get through from a packed home leg. Elite level opposition in last season’s Europa League finalists was the prize but stand-in captain Tom Sparrow’s injury and omission from action was the latest fitness blow in a summer full of them for new boss Johansson. Like the omissions of key stars of last term like Elijah Just, however, there was no detecting any sign of it having dented Motherwell. How did Motherwell get on vs HJK? Some nervous exchanges played out initially with both sides making mistakes but those claret and amber seemed to settle a touch quicker. Jake Girwood-Reich had a header into the side netting and Alex Lowry’s low cross was almost bundled home by Tawanda Maswanhise. HJK did look handy on the counter-attack though to create openings of their own. The small band of travelling fans grew in confidence after missed Maswanhise and Said efforts were followed up a succession of corners. They found themselves camped in their own half for the closing stages of the first half and the break came as a reprieve. HJK had barely made their way back onto the pitch when Said went dancing down their right-hand -side, got within shooting range, and fired into the bottom corner. Fir Park erupted and those still ordering their half-time pie could only turn round to wonder what all the fuss was about. It visibly rattled the Bolt Arena team as Motherwell’s dynamic front four started finding free spaces with relative ease. Playmaker Said has gained cult hero status within the stands in North Lanarkshire for his tricky play that few seem to know how to stop. He pulled out all the stops just before the hour-mark, picking the ball up after some fantastic build-up play, charging forward at pace. The Helsinki defence parted and he toe-poked the ball into the bottom corner as a meeting with Bundesliga opposition neared. It’s the type of clash fans dreamed of and wondered how their possession orientated style brought in by former manager Jens Berthel Askou would fare as they stepped up continental levels. It was a game of keep-ball from there and some late defending in their own half eventually clinched a win many of the over 8,000 home fans will remember for many a year. Freiburg’s visit for the first leg of the play-off will prove even more tantalising as the club’s exciting brand of football faces one of its toughest challenges yet. Comments Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.