A full programme of Veikkausliiga fixtures started with the statistic that in the opening nine matches, there had been twenty-one goals by twenty-one different scorers. That appears to have cursed the weekend, which provided five goals in six matches.
After some feedback that previous blogs were a bit lengthy and lacking structure, I'm trying a new layout. As usual, all suggestions welcome!
RoPS 1-0 TPS
RoPS had a third consecutive home game to start their return to the top division, and technically this was a second win. The 1-1 draw with Lahti became a 3-0 win after Lahti fielded a suspended player, so RoPS were on a winning streak coming into this game, fresh from a surprise Suomen Cup victory against HJK. TPS were on a losing streak of two, home reverses against VPS (league) and IFK Mariehamn (cup). Wayne Brown tweeted that it was a twelve-hour coach trip, and it showed.
Rolled into an empty goal by Lahtinen (photo via Lapin Kansa)
The only goal came in the eighth minute after a long ball was met by some frankly comedy defending by TPS - Henrik Moisander stuttered outside his box, and Mika Lahtinen headed the ball past, and put it into an empty net. Both teams had several half-chances, while Jarkko Hurme could have been sent off for a late tackle on Victor Turcios. TPS hit the bar, and RoPS screwed up a late counter attack.
RoPS have six points out of nine, a decent return from three games, albeit assisted by Lahti. TPS meanwhile have lost two already, and better sides will enjoy facing defending that bad.
Highlights of RoPS 1-0 TPS
JJK 0-0 Lahti
After Lahti's forfeiture of their game against RoPS, this became a first point of the season, and another point for JJK (who drew 2-2 in Mariehamn last week). A rematch of the recent Liigacup final, won by a late goal from Lahti, but without a result.
Ville Viljala foils Tommi Kari (photo via JJK.fi)
The general consensus is that 0-0 was the right result, with few clean-cut chances. JJK have lost Eero Markkanen for six weeks or so to injury, while Lahti have a lot of new signings bedding in - although Vini Dantas came closest to scoring but was foiled by JJK keeper Viljala.
Not a lot to write about, but Lahti team coach Lasse Peltonen talked about the team's mental strength. His best Arsene Wenger impression. No mention of spirit, commitment or quality though...
Highlights of JJK 0-0 Lahti
KuPS 0-1 IFK Mariehamn
Three matches into the season, and the first cries of "Pekonen Out" were heard in the Savon Sanomat Areena on Sunday. A tepid KuPS performance started by conceding to another Petteri Forsell goal after eleven minutes, assisted by Diego Assis after a long clearance from the keeper. KuPS had keeper Mika Hilander to thank for keeping it at 1-0 after saving a Forsell penalty, while some tame finishing also let down the visitors.
Ill discipline cost KuPS again as Omar Colley received a second yellow card on 63mins (his first yellow gave away the penalty). He seemed intent on gifting IFK the points, and certainly didn't impress - he was tipped as one of the best signings of the winter.
Ill discipline cost KuPS again as Omar Colley received a second yellow card on 63mins (his first yellow gave away the penalty). He seemed intent on gifting IFK the points, and certainly didn't impress - he was tipped as one of the best signings of the winter.
Omar Colley - not pictured, red card
KuPS have had as many red cards as goals this season (2), and have just one point from their opening three matches. IFK Mariehamn have now got seven points, and sit top of the table prior to Inter v HJK on Thursday. The re-signing of Forsell appears to be working wonders, at times he seemed on a different level to the others on the pitch. He's due to return to parent club Bursaspor at the end of August.
Highlights of KuPS 0-1 IFK Mariehamn
VPS 0-0 Honka
VPS built on their 1-0 win at TPS with another clean sheet. Honka registered their first point after two 2-0 defeats. Another recovering pitch was deemed ready.
Honka defended stoutly, keeper Viitala stopped a long range shot while Parikka's follow-up was blocked; before another Parikka effort was stopped by the Honka goalie. Viitala was in the wars in the second half, taking several blows while earning his clean sheet.
Antti Mäkijärvi looks to get past Parikka (photo via YLE)
Most VPS chances came from set pieces, but new signing Tomi Ameobi didn't look too dangerous. One goal in their opening matches could be a sign of missing Steven Morrissey, but VPS certainly tried out several forwards over the winter. Honka are yet to score in a league match, while defender Gideon Baah scored their only goal in their cup win against KooTeePee. More work required, and will anxiously await the return of Tim Väyrynen.
Highlights of VPS 0-0 Honka
HJK 2-0 MYPA
HJK's first home match of the season was met by a campaign of decorating the capital's statues with blue and white scarves - legendary runner Paavo Nurmi was bedecked in HJK merchandise.
Nurmi running in blue (photo via Metro.fi)
MYPA had got four points from their opening two matches, while HJK had won 2-0 at Honka. But HJK showed why they're favourites, dominating the match. Mikael Forssell hit the post, then a goal in first half stoppage time from Erfan Zeneli gave them a 1-0 lead, after he'd already had several chances to score.
Things eased up in the second half, MYPA failed to take advantage, as Demba Savage scored his first goal of the season with seven minutes remaining. A second consecutive 2-0 win, in front of the biggest league crowd of the season so far (not that the sound on the highlights video would corroborate).
Zeneli and O'Shaughnessy do battle (photo via YLE)
Summer arrival Teemu Tainio was the outstanding player, running the midfield with tackles, interceptions, as well as looking incisive going forward. The number 10 could be the most crucial player in the side. MYPA meanwhile were toothless, with their usual saviour Pekka Sihvola drawing a blank. While hard to judge objectively from a highlights video, their bus appeared to be parked in front of their own goal.
Highlights of HJK 2-0 MYPA
Inter 1-0 Jaro
Last year's runners-up Inter got off to winning ways in their first home game of the season. Having lost at MYPA last week, they needed to keep in touch. Jaro had won at home to KuPS in week two, but had been tipped by most to struggle in 2013.
The Veritas Stadion pitch looked awful after the recent poor weather, but the game went ahead in front of 1028 spectators. The only goal came after 32 minutes, a long range shot from Tamas Gruborovics moved in the air, and Jaro keeper Öst merely took the sting out of the shot and dropped it into the path of Solomon Duah, who rolled it in.
Inter's new signing Felipe Aspegren pitching in (photo via Mats Lundberg)
Inter keeper Magnus Bahne again made some crucial saves, and Jaro hit the post from a free-kick by Hendrik Helmke. Helmke took to Twitter to moan about the highlights reel not doing the game justice. I'd love to be able to help, but Kutonen no longer stream in the UK, so if anyone wants to do me a favour and pay for Finnish satellite TV, I'll be grateful.
So Inter made it to the finish line as winners, and their first three points. Inter entertain HJK on Thursday in their re-arranged week 1 match, and will need to play a lot better.
Highlights of Inter 1-0 Jaro
The coming week's fixtures are:
Thursday 2nd May
Inter v HJK
(from week one)
Sunday 5th May
Jaro v HJK
IFK Mariehamn v Inter
VPS v RoPS
Lahti v KuPS
MYPA v Honka
TPS v JJK
