New-look Kalmar turned to a familiar face as it topped Sundsvall 1-0 in both team’s season opener April of the 2012 Allsvenskan.
Kalmar cleaned house during the winter, parting ways with all but one of the South American players. The lone hold out – Daniel Mendes –proved key as he scored the only goal of the match.
Sundsvall started the match off brightly, forcing KFF goalkeeper Ertit Berisha to make a couple of fine saves on newcomer Johan Eklund. The 19-year-old joined Sundsvall from Division II Brage. Eklund went from offensive star to goat when he picked up his second yellow card of the game ijn the 71st minute, forcing Sundsvall to play a man down for nearly 20 minutes.
Mendes notched the game winner in the 54th minute. He is the only Brazilian team left on Kalmar, which was once a haven for young South American, especially Brazilian talent. Mendes redirected an Emin Nouri free kick to give Kalmar the win.
The victory was the fifth straight for Kalmar over Sundsvall.
by Chipp Reid