Veikkausliiga week 18 - Wins for the bottom four

Spread over three days, and with one match postponed, round 18 of fixtures was a mish-mash - but both teams who weren't involved benefitted from the results at the top of the table. Amazingly the bottom four teams all won.

VPS 1-2 Inter

VPS missed a huge chance to close the gap on HJK, chucking away an early lead against a struggling Inter, who'd had a long trip to the Faroes in midweek for their Europa League qualifier (they drew 1-1 with Vikingur).

Inter hero Sirbiladze - but should he have been playing (photo via Inter's Twitter)

A nineteenth minute goal from Ville Koskimaa set the ball rolling, and 2013's VPS could normally bank on seeing out a 1-0 lead. But a tired Inter fought back, and it was Georgian striker Irakli Sirbiladze who made the difference, with two goals in ten minutes before half-time - but should he have been playing?

Sirbiladze and Smith clash heads (photo via Arash Matin)

In Sirbiladze's previous league match, he was injured in the first half, and allegedly said "After football, I will kill you" to the referee at the break, and was sent off. He got a two match ban for the straight red, and the Finnish FA gave him an extra one match ban for the threat. Needless to say that has caused outrage, with people wondering about the message it sends out regarding the 'Respect' campaign. Either way, he returned with two goals, and Inter will be grateful that last year's Veikkausliiga maalikuningas (goal king) has hit some form.

Highlights of VPS 1-2 Inter

VPS remain in third, with 29 points from 17 games. Inter are tenth with 21 points from 18 matches.

JJK 1-0 Honka

This was JJK's first match under new coach Juha Pasoja, and what a start. Inflicting Honka's first defeat in six, damaging their medal hopes as well. Honka went into the game without key defender Gideon Baah, serving a one-match ban. But they started well, they had several chances, but couldn't convert any of them. 

JJK celebrate (photo via Laura Hakalisto)

They were made to pay in the second half, JJK had a number of set pieces, and made one count with six minutes remaining. Substitute Topi Järvinen snuck in to meet a free kick and bundle it in. The game ended 1-0, and with the other results, a win was crucial in their attempts to avoid relegation. Meanwhile, JJK get a brief diversion this week, they play English League One club Notts County on Wednesday, as part of County's Finland pre-season tour.

Highlights of JJK 1-0 Honka

JJK are still bottom of the table, but now have fourteen points from seventeen matches, and remain four points behind Lahti. Honka remain second, level on 33 points with HJK (18 games), but missed a crucial chance to open a lead with HJK not in action.

Lahti 3-0 MYPA

Monday's game saw Lahti back in black at home, and it was in-form Brazilian Rafael who led them to another victory. Lahti had won three of their last four games, after losing seven out of nine. MYPA meanwhile had only won one game in five, after a decent start to the season.

Rafael celebrates again (photo via Juha Peurala)

Rafael had scored four in his last four games - and added two more here. The first involved nice work down the right wing by Joni Aho, with Rafael's effort taking a large deflection into the net after just four minutes. Beating the keeper and slotting the ball into the empty net on the hour gave him (and Lahti) a second goal. Debutant Jean Nganbe Nganbe capitalised on poor defending to round it off in injury time, and make it Lahti 3-0 MYPA.

Video highlights availabile here, via ESS.fi.

The result keeps Lahti in eleventh place, with eighteen points from 17 matches. MYPA meanwhile sit sixth, with 23 points from 17 games.

RoPS 1-0 KuPS

Saturday's action saw KuPS make the long trip north to Rovaniemi - whose previous match caused the sacking of JJK coach Kari Martonen.

RoPS celebrate their winner (photo via Jussi Leinonen)

The only goal was powerfully headed in by RoPS' Ndukaku Alison, his second in two games, with just twelve minutes on the clock. Both teams had chances, but it was the home keeper Tomi Maanoja who was the real hero, making several vital saves to ensure three points for RoPS. KuPS have only three wins in their last 11 games, and have only scored three goals in 5 games.

Highlights of RoPS 1-0 KuPS

RoPS are ninth in the table, with 21 points from 18 matches. KuPS are eighth, just one point ahead after 18 games.

IFK Mariehamn 0-0 Jaro

Mariehamn had returned from Azerbaijan as battered heroes. They drew 1-1 at Inter Baku, Adlam getting the away goal, but it was at a cost - Diego Assis and top scorer Dever Orgill both suffered cruciate ligament injuries and will miss the rest of the season. Jaro meanwhile have been inconsistent, playing well mostly but not converting the good play into points.

Stalemate (photo via Siri Lindén)

The key chance fell to Jaro, earning a penalty towards the end of the first half - but Shahdon Winchester's effort was saved by Mariehamn keeper Peter Enckelman. Coach Pekka Lyyski admitted that his thoughts had started to move towards the Europa League second leg on Thursday, but at this rate he'll be struggling to put out eleven men... 

Highlights of IFK Mariehamn 0-0 Jaro

IFK Mariehamn are fifth in the table, with 25 points from 18 games. Jaro are seventh, with 23 from 17 games.

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.