Dalkurd on brink of relegation from Sweden’s top division after 2-1 loss

The loss means Dalkurd drop to 15th place in Sweden’s Allsvenskan league, two points away from the relegation play-off spot.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdish-affiliated Swedish club Dalkurd FF dropped into the relegation zone after a 2-1 loss on Monday to Djurgaarden, putting their chances of survival in Sweden’s top division for another season at risk.

Aliou Badji scored after 28 minutes before Dalkurd forward Ahmed Awad equalized moments before the half-time whistle. The club’s efforts in the second half were not enough as defender Jonathan Ring scored the winner for Djurgaarden in the 90th minute.

The loss means Dalkurd drop to 15th place in Sweden’s Allsvenskan league, two points away from the relegation play-off spot.

Their final match of the season is against GIF Sundsvall on Nov. 11 at 5 p.m. Erbil time.

In an interview with Kurdistan 24 in September, Dalkurd Chairman Ramazan Kizil vowed that his team would avoid relegation and remain in the Allsvenskan league.

“We are aware of our situation. We realize what situation we are in, and we are not afraid of this situation,” Kizil said. “This year, we are playing in the highest division, and playing in the top division is not easy.”

“I can say this confidently: We will avoid relegation this season and remain in Sweden’s top division.”

Dalkurd’s only hope for survival is if the club above them, Brommapojkarna, draw or lose their final match of the season against Trelleborgs FF and the Kurdish-affiliated side beat Sundsvall.

The club has bull-dozed its way up the ranks of Swedish football since their 2005 introduction in Tier Seven, winning five promotions in their first five seasons.

If they retain their spot in the first level of Swedish football, Dalkurd faces the prospect of UEFA Champions League or Europa League qualification—an opportunity awarded to the top three teams in the Allsvenskan league.