Veikkausliiga week 27 - Back to four contenders?

After the international break, league football resumed with the top and bottom places still to be decided, and this weekend there were matches between first and second, and first bottom and second bottom.

Starting at the foot of the table, the match between Haka and Jaro was never destined to be a classic - the home side hadn't won a match since mid July, while Jaro's form had picked up with draws against HJK in Helsinki, and against KuPS. In the driving rain, there was effort from both sides with no end result, although both sides had chances. Jaro coach Alexei Eremenko said he was happy with the result, but won't be happy that Maksim Vasilev was sent off in the second half for two yellow cards.

Alexei Eremenko looking casual on the sidelines

A point for both sides was made to look worse by the result in Kuopio, where KuPS defeated MYPA 2-0. KuPS were in recent danger of being sucked back into the relegation fight, falling into the usual trap of almost focusing on the Cup (they play Honka in the final next weekend). They have stretched the gap over Jaro to six points (the lead over Haka is five points) with six matches remaining. After a goalless first half, Pyry Kärkkäinen scored after 57 minutes. MYPA almost equalised through Olajide Williams, before substitute Dudu made the points safe. KuPS still have tricky fixtures remaining, visiting HJK on Wednesday, and hosting Inter Turku a week later.

Kuismala fishes the ball out of the net (photo courtesy of Futisblogi Puoliaika)

KuPS's Suomen Cup opponents Honka were in action on Saturday, hosting a TPS side who still had a realistic title chance after their dramatic comeback against Inter last week. Only 867 people turned out for the match, and again saw a goalless first half. The deciding goal was scored with a header from Dennis Okaru just after the hour, and just after Honka had been reduced to ten men after Yaghoubi was sent off for a second booking. Honka remain in eighth place, while TPS move to 47 points, and within three points of neighbours (and leaders) Inter.

Highlights of Honka 0-1 TPS

While TPS are in third place and definitely in contention, IFK Mariehamn have slowly been creeping their way back into the title race. A few weeks ago, they hit a rough patch of form, but have since won eight points from twelve with a win away to VPS, on a windy day in Vaasa. Mattias Wiklöf scored twice in each half to give IFKM a 2-0 lead, and Tommy Wirtanen scored his first goal since his move from Örebro to make it 3-0 with a good counter-attack. Prolific Jamaican striker Steven Morrissey scored a consolation goal for VPS, but the match finished 1-3. IFKM are now on 45 points, only five points behind Inter, who they visit on Octover 8th. VPS have now lost three of their last four matches, remain on 39 points, and they're unlikely to reach the Europa League as a result.

Highlights of VPS 1-3 IFK Mariehamn

JJK visited Lahti on Sunday, for a match which may have a big bearing on next season. The first half saw no goals, but a yellow card for each team, before Mikko Hauhia scored for Lahti after 54 minutes. Eero Markkenen equalised a minute later for JJK, his first goal in two months. But Lahti took the three points with a late goal by Hietanen. Lahti rise to sixth place with the win, JJK remain in ninth. With the league structure as it is, finishing in the top six brings the benefit of an extra home match next season (see this article by Egan Richardson which explains more), so the win for Lahti could mean more than just a late season boost.

Match-winner Konsta Hietanen

And so the top of the table clash. Champions HJK at home to leaders Inter Turku at a wet and windy Sonera Stadium. Inter threw away a 3-1 lead at home to TPS the previous week, ending with a 3-3 draw. HJK had won four of the last five matches. With six matches remaining afterwards, an Inter win would result in a five point lead... An HJK win would take them top for the first time in weeks.

Some wild shooting dominated the opening exchanges, but Inter scored first, a free kick launched into the box was diverted in via the head of Juho Mäkelä, although the HJK TV director went easy and awarded it to Joni Kauko... Inter then had the ball in the net again, but was correctly ruled out for offside. HJK equalised in the 61st minute, a free kick taken on the right wing flew into the goal. Rasmus Schüller was the scorer, and claimed he meant it, although he couldn't have expected Inter goalkeeper Stef Doedee to flap underneath it.

Highlights of HJK 1-1 Inter

Both sides had chances to win afterwards, but some good goalkeeping and poor finishing saw the match end 1-1. Inter are on 50 points from 27 games, HJK on 48 points. Both sides have a goal difference of +19, while TPS are on 47 points with a goal difference of +23, courtesy of the freak 9-2 scoreline against Haka last month. IFKM are on 45 points, a goal difference of +9.

(See the Escape To Suomi Twitter this week for a chance to win an official ETS mug)