Veikkausliiga week 5(?) - KuPS get first point

Apologies for the confusion with the week number, the splitting of the first week threw me. Anyway, it makes sense for all if I fall in line with Player's Lehti, provider of the highlights...

Veikkausliiga top scorer Roni Porokara (photo via Sami Kilpio for HS)

TPS 0-2 RoPS

Saturday's match looked tough to call. TPS had picked up their first win away to HJK the week before, while RoPS had looked out of sorts and rarely travel well. TPS dominated the first half, with RoPS barely getting a sniff at the goal, but managed to get to half-time at 0-0. The visitors made a couple of changes, and earned a valuable three points with goals from former TPS star Petteri Pennanen (62') and Mika Mäkitalo (90').

Highlights of TPS 0-2 RoPS

VPS 0-2 HJK

HJK are under new management now, Mika Lehkosuo taking the reins after the board made an early decision. After a cup win over Haka, a stiffer test was expected at VPS. But with the influential Demba Savage returning, goals in each half from Sebastian Mannström (43' and 57') secured an important win. VPS meanwhile suffer their first league defeat of the season, and also lost Keithy Simpson and Jarno Parikka to injury.

IFK Mariehamn 2-1 MYPA

Leaders MYPA also suffered their first defeat, after the long trip to Åland. They did take an early lead, a second minute goal from Aleksi Ristola when Mariehamn failed to clear a corner. On 56 minutes, Petteri Forsell equalised from close range, before Luis Solignac made it 2-1 after 70mins, converting Östlind's cross. Without Mariehamn's points deduction, they'd be top, but they're showing why they were tipped by many as HJK's closest rivals this year.

Honka 1-1 Jaro

Who had Roni Porokara to be top scorer after five rounds? Me neither. He opened the scoring for Honka after 48 minutes, getting on the end of a deep cross which somehow made it towards the far post. He now has five league goals already. The lead only lasted for seven minutes though, as a ludicrous cross-field pass in the Honka defence was pounced upon by April's player of the month Hendrik Helmke, who scored his fourth of the season, and secured another point for Jaro. I dread to think of what swear words Shefki Kuqi used after seeing that.

Inter 1-1 KuPS

KuPS recruited former TPS coach Marko Rajamäki in the week, and he promptly earned his new side a point at Inter. Inter had knocked KuPS out of the Suomen Cup in midweek, and it looked like a repeat when Irakli Sirbiladze scored the opener after 50 minutes, after good play from Lehtonen. Estonian international Ats Purje headed in KuPS's equaliser on 71 minutes, his first of the season. KuPS remain bottom, but at least they have something to show now.

Lahti 1-1 SJK

SJK continue to pick up points in their debut season, and took the lead (against the run of play) when Juho Lähde slotted home just before half time. Lahti's pitch provided a lot of awkward bounces and bobbles, but the hosts got themselves a point when substitute Mikael Salimäki stabbed in on 74 minutes, just five minutes after coming on. Lahti are three points off the top, while SJK have five points from four games.

Highlights of Sunday's games

Veikkausliiga week 5 - MYPA roll on, HJK in crisis?

During the week, IFK Mariehamn's 1-0 victory over VPS was changed to a 0-3 defeat due to an administrative error - the league tables haven't been verified pending an appeal. Any mentions of the two club's standings are based on the 0-3 result...

HJK 0-1 TPS

A first goal and the first league points of 2014 for TPS... To add to a terrible week for the champions. A defeat at Lahti and a draw with Honka was roundly finished by a nice finish from Wayne Brown. TPS fans celebrated, and their (mostly) young side did the fans proud. HJK fans meanwhile ponder the next low, and despite various injuries, they look devoid of inspiration. TPS move clear of the bottom, and next week's match at home to RoPS.

Wayne Brown celebrates his winner

Highlights of HJK 0-1 TPS

KuPS 0-2 Lahti

The first managerial casualty of the year was in Kuopio, where Esa Pekonen lost his job. Rumours circulate about his replacement, but veteran player Tero Taipale took the reins temporarily. Not that it did much good - goals in each half from Matti Klinga (40') and Rafael (57') earned another three points for Lahti, who are making a stronger start than the last two seasons. KuPS remain pointless and rooted to the bottom. Lots of work for the new coach.

RoPS 0-1 MYPA

Another blank for RoPS, with the optimism of a new start under Malinen fades further. MYPA made the trip north without their own coach Antti Muurinen, who was somewhat under the weather. A 75th minute goal from new signing Dawda Bah was the only goal. MYPA remain unbeaten, and go top of the table. RoPS last year relied on good home form, and will need to improve drastically.

Honka 3-1 Inter

Shefki Kuqi's side continue to take shape, and (perhaps rightly for now) are prioritising results over style. Roni Porokara's deflected fourth goal in five games after four minutes was a great start, while on-loan Fulham youngster Alex Brister scored his second goal for the club on 42 minutes. Henri Lehtonen pulled one back in first half injury time, before second half sub Anyamele scored a fine third in the 89th to secure the points. Honka have a steady seven points from five matches, while Inter's good start seems a long time ago, with a second consecutive defeat.

IFK Mariehamn 1-3 Jaro

After a choppy couple of days, where Mariehamn lost three points (and their perfect record, on paper but not the pitch), the doubt was removed on Sunday against Jaro. Jaro's Ilya Vaganov's 25th minute strike was equalised seven minutes later by a penalty from Petteri Forsell. Two goals in six minutes for the visitors (Emet, 71' and Helmke, 77' penalty) saw them earn a third win in a row, and up into the medal positions. The hosts will need to regroup, with a Suomen Cup quarter-final with JJK to play on Wednesday.

Highlights of Sunday's fixtures