Veikkausliiga week 17 - JJK sack coach, Inter score!!

This round was spread over two days before the Europa League sides head off into battle. The goals came early and late, and there was plenty to keep the fans entertained. Sometimes for the wrong reasons, sometimes for hilarious reasons.

I've added the highlights of HJK v Lahti since originally posting.

Honka 4-2 Jaro

The game was watched by a delegation from Lech Poznan, Honka's Europa League opponents, and they came away 'very entertained' (according to Honka's Ilkka Taponen). The game started brightly, Ghanaian defender Gideon Baah keeping up his excellent start with a sixth minute goal (he also picked up his fifth booking of the season, and a one match ban). Antti Mäkijärvi doubled the lead after 19 minutes, and all was looking rosy.

Väyrynen and Kullström were no good at spot the ball

But the second half started differently, Trinidad striker Shahdon Winchester continued his good form with an acrobatic 54th minute goal - but Honka's Tim Väyrynen restored the two-goal cushion almost immediately. Jaro's Mattias Wargh celebrated his first start in nearly a year with a goal, to set up a tense finish, but Väyrynen pounced again in added time to seal the points - Jaro coach Alexei Eremenko will have nightmares about that one. It was his sixth goal in eight games, and it took Honka top.

Highlights of Honka 4-2 Jaro

Honka have 33 points from seventeen games, with a goal difference of +6. Jaro are eighth, with 22 points from sixteen matches.

JJK 1-1 RoPS

It looked like JJK would get a valuable three points against poor travellers RoPS - but an injury-time leveller cost them the win, and their coach Kari Martonen.

JJK scorer Manninen (photo via Laura Hakalisto)

A 42nd minute goal from Mikko Manninen gave JJK the lead, and they held on through almost the entire second half - but RoPS' Nigerian defender Ndukaku Alison headed his first goal of the season in the 93rd minute. It was the straw the broke the camel's back, and it didn't take long after the game for JJK to announce that it was to be Martonen's last match in charge.

Highlights of the match are available here, via KSML.

The result leaves JJK at the foot of the table (twelth), with eleven points from sixteen matches. RoPS are in ninth position, with eighteen points from seventeen games.

Inter 1-1 TPS

The Turku derby didn't need much hype, and Friday's decision to give Inter striker Irakli Sirbiladze one extra match ban for allegedly saying to a referee "After football I will kill you" (during the Jaro match) spiced things up plenty. Inter had also gone six games without a goal, so the pressure was on.

Collector's item - an Inter goal (photo by Bo Stranden)

TPS had gone closest to opening the scoring, Roope Riski hitting the post. But it was Inter who did get the goal, Severi Paajanen slotting home from a corner after 39 minutes. But just three minutes after the interval, skipper Henri Lehtonen put the ball in his own net while under pressure from Riski.

TPS equalise (photo via Jaakko Stenroos)

There were plenty of niggly fouls and half chances, and a noisy atmosphere - but the game ended 1-1. TPS coach Marko Rajamäki bemoaned not being able to convert possession into goals, and said he's looking forward to the forthcoming European matches. Inter coach Job Dragtsma thought it was a fair result, but was irritated at conceding a "cheap goal".

Highlights of Inter 1-1 TPS

TPS sit fourth in the table, with 26 points from 16 games. Inter remain tenth, with 18 points from 17 matches.

MYPA 3-1 IFK Mariehamn

IFK Mariehamn had been truly humbled on Thursday with a 0-5 defeat to HJK, but flew out of the blocks on Sunday with a second minute goal from Brazilian Diego Assis - but MYPA ended their three game losing streak with a stunning comeback.

MYPA moving forward (photo via Pekka Vainio)

Two goals in two minutes from Xhevdet Gela (39') and Sasha Anttilainen (40') swung the game into MYPA's favour, before an injury time goal from Olajide Williams sealed the points.

Highlights of MYPA 3-1 IFK Mariehamn

MYPA have moved up to sixth place with 23 points from sixteen games. IFK Mariehamn are fifth, with 24 points from 17 matches.

KuPS 1-0 VPS

VPS lost ground on the top of the table after a defeat in Kuopio. KuPS were without suspended Omar Colley, but welcomed back keeper Mika Hilander, Dawda Bah and Etchu Tabe. VPS meanwhile were without injured Anthony Dafaa, and lost Jarno Parikka to a knee injury early on.

Happy KuPS (photo via Vartaloharhautus)

KuPS scored midway through the first half, Antti Hynynen scoring the only goal of the game after some rare VPS defensive madness. It was his first goal since the opening day, and it proved crucial as loanee (from HJK) Akseli Pelvas is still adjusting to regular football...

Highlights of KuPS 1-0 VPS

KuPS are now seventh, with 22 points from 17 games. VPS remain third, with 29 points from 16 matches.

HJK 2-1 Lahti

Didn't see the game. HJK's home form has been patchy, Lahti had won three in a row. But HJK returned to the top (after Honka had taken over for 24 hours) after a Perovuo penalty, a nice Demba Savage header, and Lahti's goal by Rafael - his fourth in four games. The game became slightly viral due to some goon falling over the advertising after HJK's second...

Head over heels (photo via Mika Laakso)

Don't worry, he must have been in an advanced state of relaxation (pissed) so the stewards pounced and dragged him away.

Highlights of HJK 2-1 Lahti

HJK are top, with 33 points from seventeen games, with a goal difference of +16. Lahti are eleventh, with fifteen points from sixteen games.

Veikkausliiga week 16: Lahti make it three, as does Jolle

Another round of fixtures this midweek to take us almost up to the halfway point... Here's a brief summary of all six matches.

IFK Mariehamn 0-5 HJK

HJK's kit and equipment was late turning up - but the team started early and saw the benefits of an early goal.

It was Joel Pohjanpalo who opened the scoring - nodding in a cross from close range. Moren doubled the score four minutes later, following up after Enckelman saved a free kick. Rasmus Schüller scored a third midway through the second half, before Pohjanpalo slotted a fourth away with seven minutes left, before completing a perfect hat-trick (head, right foot, left foot) in the 87th minute.

Pohjanpalo was disappointed he didn't get to use the whole hand (photo via HJK.fi)

It was Jolle's second Veikkausliiga hat-trick, his second against IFK Mariehamn, and his second perfect hat-trick. Note the theme. Bayer Leverkusen will do well to snap him up sooner rather than later, as this will only alert several other clubs.

Highlights of IFK Mariehamn 0-5 HJK

HJK retain their lead at the top of the table, with thirty points from 16 games. IFK Mariehamn are fifth, with 24 points from 16 matches.

Lahti 1-0 Inter

Lahti took the field in white, dedicated one of their former identities FC Kuusysi. The change in colours (they wore Reipas orange & black against JJK) appears to have brought them good luck, and this was a third win in a row.

Hertsi bears down on Inter keeper Koponen (photo via Elias Lahtinen)

The game was settled early, courtesy of a coolly taken penalty by Brazilian striker Rafael. It was his third goal in as many games, and it won the points for his side. Inter also lost substitute Pim Bouwman to a red card late in the game.

Highlights of Lahti 1-0 Inter

Lahti are still eleventh, but now have fifteen points from fifteen games, and are catching Inter. The visitors leave with seventeen points from 16 games, and have now failed to score in six league matches.

RoPS 0-1 Honka

Honka had to rely on another injury time winner to beat RoPS, but it kept them level at the top with HJK - and condemned RoPS to a first home defeat since the opening day.

Kastrati battles for the ball (photo via Pekka Aho)

A 95th minute winner from Jussi Vasara meant Honka's long journey to Espoo was three points heavier, albeit they lost Nnaemeka Anyamele to a red card. RoPS have now gone six games without a win, and are starting to look nervous.

Highlights of RoPS 0-1 Honka

Honka are second, level on points with HJK but with an inferior goal difference of ten goals. They have thirty points from sixteen games. RoPS are ninth, with seventeen points from sixteen games.

VPS 1-0 JJK

Just like the famous Arsenal team of the 90s, VPS seem to be attempting to 1-0 their win to success... This was their fourth 1-0 win of the season, and they still only conceded nine goals. This goal was from Jarno Parikka after 23 minutes, chipping in after a sharp through ball.

Of long-term worry to VPS was the injury to midfielder Anthony Dafaa, who had to go off in the second half. Early indications are that it could be serious. For JJK, they still only have two wins this season, and are in danger of being left behind Lahti after their recent wins.

Highlights of VPS 1-0 JJK

VPS are still third, and still a point behind HJK. They have 29 points from their fifteen games. JJK are twelth, with ten points from fifteen games.

Jaro 2-0 MYPA

Jaro's decent season returned to winning ways with an impressive win over a MYPA side who appear to be drifting away. They took the lead midway through the first half, Igor Jovanovic heading in from a free kick. Trinidad & Tobago striker Shahdon Winchester sealed the win with three minutes left (the goal wasn't on the highlights due to technical difficulties).

Highlights of Jaro 2-0 MYPA

Jaro move up to sixth place, with 22 points from fifteen games. MYPA are seventh, with 20 points from fifteen - they've lost their last three league games.

TPS 0-0 KuPS

Just like Jaro's Jesse Öst on Monday, an away goalkeeper was the hero here. KuPS stand-in keeper Joonas Pöntinen was the saviour, making a number of key saves to salvage a point for the visitors. KuPS were down to ten men after 30mins after Gambian defender Omar Colley was dismissed for a professional foul, bringing down Mikko Hyyrynen when through on goal - that was Colley's second red card of the season.

Highlights of TPS 0-0 KuPS

TPS lose ground on the leaders, they're in fourth place and have 25 points from 15 games. KuPS are eighth, with 19 points from 16 games.