Veikkausliiga week 5 - KuPS win at last, VPS rise on Ascension Day

Thursday in Finland was helatorstai (Ascension Day), so we got a bonus round of fixtures this week - all twelve teams were in action, so here's a quick summary... It's shorter than the usual, but hopefully we'll be back to normal next week.

KuPS 4-1 TPS

KuPS finally got their first win, and they did it in style. Coach Esa Pekonen was under extreme pressure after their awful start, but it was TPS who started quickest, Mika Ääritalo with a goal after 2 mins. KuPS forward Ilja Venäläinen was the difference, with the first league hat-trick of the season, goals in the 26, 40 and 59th minutes. Gambian Dawda Bah also scored his first goal since his return to Finland.

Gambians Colley and Bah celebrate (photo via Vartaloharhautus)

Highlights of KuPS 4-1 TPS

KuPS have 4 points from their five games, while TPS have now lost 3 times already, and have 6 points.

JJK 0-1 VPS

VPS remain the surprise in the upper half of the table, collecting another win. It was substitute Jordan Seabrook with the goal on 71 minutes, and amazingly leaves VPS second, having only conceded one goal so far. JJK have only picked up 2 draws from their opening four games, and their only two goals came in the draw at IFK Mariehamn.

Inter 2-0 Lahti

Inter's return to form continued with another win, this time against Lahti. Henri Lehtonen opened the scoring just after the hour, his second goal in three games. New signing Tamas Gruborovics has had a promising start since coming from JJK, and scored his first Inter goal to seal the win after 75mins. Fulham's on loan keeper conceded his first goals for Lahti.

 Inter old-boy Joni Aho tackling Lehtonen (photo via Ilta-Sanomat)

Inter are third in the table, with 10 points from their first five games. Lahti have four points from four games (accounting for the RoPS match).

 

Highlights of Inter 2-0 Lahti

 
Honka 2-0 RoPS

Honka's won their first league match at the fifth attempt (and scored their first goals), against a RoPS side who look like their away form could prove crucial. Jussi Vasara opened the scoring just after the hour, the ball eventually dropping to him inside the box (Faith Obilor got the last touch). A ridiculously blind backpass from RoPS defender Ndukaku gave Nnaemeka Anyamele virtually an open goal.

Honka rise from the bottom of the table, and have four points from five games. RoPS have six points (including those awarded for the game v Lahti).

Highlights of Honka 2-0 RoPS

HJK 0-0 IFK Mariehamn

In a match which opened by remembering HJK legend Kai Pahlman, the highest attendance of the season so far saw of the form teams try hard, but there were no goals. IFK Mariehamn had a goal disallowed in the first half for offside, and their tactic of letting (April Player of the Month) Petteri Forsell shoot from 30 yards out came close to a goal. HJK created a few chances of their own, but looked laboured.

HJK remain top with 11 points from five matches, while Mariehamn are fourth, with 8 points from five games.

Highlights of HJK 0-0 IFK Mariehamn

MYPA 1-2 Jaro

Jaro were tipped by most to be relegated this year, but sit in the top half of the table after this good win at MYPA. Jonas Emet scored after 14 minutes, and hot prospect Simon Skrabb doubled the lead on 38. The hosts pulled one back just before half time, Sasha Anttilainen scoring, but Jaro saw the game out. In their defeats to Inter and HJK, they created plenty but came away with nothing.

Jaro are sixth, with 6 points from four games, scoring and conceding six goals. MYPA are fifth, with 7 points from five matches.

Highlights of MYPA 1-2 Jaro