Veikkausliiga week 2 - VPS and Jaro start with wins, Forssell returns with goal

Week two of the 2013 Veikkausliiga season went ahead as planned (other than a couple of venue changes), and saw wins for two of the sides tipped to struggle.

The first fixture of the weekend was again a home fixture for TPS, and again moved to the municipal pitches of Turku. This time the visitors were VPS,  tipped by many to struggle, and without last year's top scorer Steven Morrissey. TPS had won their opening fixture 2-0 against Honka, the goals scored in the second half when they had a man advantage.

Mikko Hyyrynen threatens (photo via Turun Sanomat)

VPS didn't give TPS such a chance, and gave as good as they got. Pennanen and Ääritalo had chances for the home side, while American Jordan Seabrook had a couple of decent efforts for VPS. But it was the visitors who scored the only goal of the game, in the 88th minute. Captain Sebastian Strandvall found space on the edge of the box and floated in a cross, which was met by Jarno Parikka and headed into the top left corner.

VPS giving chase

Pennanen broke past two players and shot over the bar from outside the area, but there wasn't enough time to equalise, and the VPS players celebrated an unlikely victory. The boys from Vaasa ended 2012 in poor form, with seven points from ten matches. But this win was a surprise, and TPS will be shocked. TPS coach Marko Rajamäki admitted his side were too cautious, while defender Sami Rähmönen denied they were complacent.

Either way, it's a shock result, and sees VPS off the mark. Perhaps it's three points in their bid to avoid relegation, or for an unlikely push to the top half. VPS host Honka next week, while TPS make the long journey north to Rovaniemi to play RoPS.

Highlights of TPS 0-1 VPS

Sunday's four fixtures all went ahead, starting in with RoPS v Lahti, a fixture that was switched from Lahti due to an icy pitch at the Lahden Stadion. RoPS had lost their opening fixture at home to IFK Mariehamn, but their forward Aleksandr Kokko had started to make good on his promise to score in every game, with the consolation in a 3-1 defeat. Lahti's match against JJK was postponed, but the Liigacup winners were tipped by many to finish in the top 3.

A goalless first half saw two yellow cards, but little else. Antti Okkonen gave the home side the lead with a free kick, but RoPS did little to impress otherwise. Lahti's Brazilian forward Vini Dantas pulled it back to 1-1 with three minutes to go, while Mika Mäkitalo almost won it for Lahti with the last attack. Palloseura-Blogi has some photos and more words about the game.

Highlights of RoPS 1-1 Lahti

The game ended 1-1, and with six yellow cards (four for RoPS, two for Lahti). Kokko failed to score, and his pre-season boast was already ruined. RoPS have got one point from their opening fixtures, and have another home game against TPS on Sunday. Lahti travel to Jyväskylä to face JJK.

The live game on UrhoTV (of which I did catch the second half) was MYPA v FC Inter. MYPA had drawn 1-1 at KuPS last week, while Inter's match against HJK was postponed due to the pitch at the Veritas Stadion. The pitch at the Kymenlaakson Sähkö Stadion had recovered from the heating incident, and 1124 people squeezed in.

Inter had chances to go ahead, MYPA scored an own goal, then Tamás Gruborovics hit the post after a lovely shot on the turn. 2012 goal king Irakli Sirbiladze will want to ignore shanking the ball wide in front of the goal from the rebound... Last week's scorer for MYPA headed straight at Inter keeper Bahne, and the first half ended goalless.

 Inter attach the MYPA goal (photo from TS.fi)

Williams screwed the ball wide at the start of the second half, and then Aho forced another save out of Bahne from a corner. Sihvola then narrowly missed from 25 yards out from a free kick, and it looked destined to end 0-0. But a one-two with Hassan Sesay and Sihvola led to a goal on 84 minutes, Sesay banging it home. Inter coach Job Dragtsma was sent to the stands for his protests, including kicking a drink bottle as defender Aleksi Laiho was prevented from returning to the field. Dragtsma will cop at least a one game touchline ban.

Dragtsma banished

The game ended 1-0 to the home side, and Inter's miserable 2013 continues. MYPA go second with 4 points from their two games, and look grateful that Sihvola stayed. MYPA coach Toni Korkeakunnas said his side earned the victory. But will be happy with a win in their first home fixture.

Highlights of MYPA 1-0 FC Inter

IFK Mariehamn had returned from their epic voyage to RoPS in week one with three points, and were hosting a JJK side who hadn't played a league match yet. Another goalless first half greeted the 1412 paying customers, but Robin Östlind went close on a couple of occasions and Mattias Wiklöf headed over.

With four minutes of the second half gone, Östlind capitalised on a defensive mistake to slot home his first league goal for IFK Mariehamn. He could have doubled the score, but was denied by a good save from JJK keeper Viljala. Visiting sub Jani Virtanen then hit a free kick narrowly over the bar, then Mikko Innanen scored a speculative goal with 65mins gone that really should have been saved.

IFK keeper Simon Nurme took the weight of Virtanen in a challenge for the ball, and took around 5 rolls afterwards. JJK sub Babatunde Wusu burst through some slack play, saw his shot saved and roll into the path of Mikko Manninen who put the ball in, and JJK 2-1 ahead. The visitors looked like taking all three points in their first league fixture.

 Bright (holding ball) after the equaliser (photo via Jonas Edsvik)

But Mariehamn pushed back, and eventually got their equaliser in the last minute. New Zealand striker Kris Bright, signed from Haka in the winter, turned the ball in at the second attempt from a low cross. Contrary to the official score update, it definitely wasn't a penalty!

Not a penalty... What else have they got wrong?

Despite late pressure from the home team (including a good save by Viljala), the match finished 2-2, which left IFK Mariehamn top on four points, and JJK pick up a good away point in their first game. JJK were ninth in 2012, partially distracted by a European run. With a clear season ahead (other than their Suomen Cup campaign, which starts this week in the sixth round at BK-46), they will also be looking to emulate their bronze medal in 2011.

Highlights of IFK Mariehamn 2-2 JJK

Last season's 11th placed side Jaro have been tipped by many to struggle this season, and they opened their 2013 season with a home match against a KuPS side who were looking to improve on their tenth place of last season. KuPS needed a late goal to draw 1-1 with MYPA last week, but were still bedding in new players. The match took place at Pietarsaaren Länsikenttä due to the poor pitch (suffering from the weather) at Jaro's home ground.

The hosts needed just 32 seconds to take the lead, a long ball from Jaro keeper Öst found it's way to exciting prospect Simon Skrabb, who put it away from 15 yards out. Quite the surprise from the team tipped by many to get relegated at the end of the season. But with 20 minutes gone, KuPS man Dawda Bah missed a gilt-edged chance to score, screwing his shot wide with just the keeper to beat.

 Opening scorer Skrabb (photo via www.ffjaro.fi)

Just before half-time, Gambian defender Omar Colley equalised for KuPS, heading in from a corner. Colley is a big man, and used his strength well, holding off his marker.

But the lead only lasted until the 49th minute, when Canadian international Frank Jonke ran towards goal, and was brought down in the box by KuPS skipper Rami Hakanpää - who earned a second yellow card, and an early bath. Jaro captain stepped up and scored, although Mika Hilander went the right way.

 Hendrik Helmke has a go (photo via Markku Jokela)

Jaro came closest to winning it, but the game finished a surprising 2-1. KuPS have started with 1 point from two games, while Jaro sit fourth.

Highlights of FF Jaro 2-1 KuPS

Monday night's fixture was between 2012 cup winners Honka and champions HJK. Honka lost their first game against TPS 2-0, and lost Henri Aalto to a red card. HJK had been due to travel to Inter, but the game was postponed. HJK fans arrived in Tapiola by big red London bus, and the team came away with a capital win (if you'll pardon the pun).

 The travelling HJK fans (photo via www.HJK.fi)

HJK lined up with new arrivals Mikael Forssell (who first left Helsinki in 1998), Teemu Tainio and former Honka captain Tapio Heikkilä. Honka were missing the suspended Henri Aalto, but featured new boys Abdoulaye Méïté, Rubén Palazuelos and Gideon Baah. It was also the first league match for new HJK coach Sixten Boström.

It was an eventful start, HJK keeper making a fantastic triple save in the sixth minute, and Baah picked up a yellow card in his second consecutive match. But it only took until the eighth minute for the opening goal, and it was Forssell nodding in after a poor connection from Palazuelos.

 Forssell nods past Peltonen to make it 0-1 (photo via YLE)

There were plenty of challenges, Rexhepi went in heavy on Sorsa, while Baah made a tremendous tackle on Rasmus Schüller. Palazuelos had a long shot deflected over, but another hefty check by Rexhepi (already on a yellow card) gave away a free kick from which Schüller coolly scored into the bottom corner.

Rasmus Schüller celebrates (photo via www.hjk.fi)

Sub Joel Pohjanpalo (on for Forssell) had a chance to make it three in injury time, but the game finished 0-2 to HJK. There was some controversy at the end, as Honka's Yaghoubi gave the travelling supporters the finger. The highest attendance so far (3492 people) witnessed a proficient HJK, but Honka showed signs of life, despite another defeat which leaves them bottom.

Highlights of Honka 0-2 HJK 

We finally have a full weekend of league football, and we move onto the Suomen Cup sixth round.

Apologies for the length of the blog, feel free to provide feedback or suggestions. I've taken some on board from 2012, with more photo credits and links. If you would like to contribute media, let me know and I'll be extremely grateful.