Spread over three days, and with one match postponed, round 18 of fixtures was a mish-mash - but both teams who weren't involved benefitted from the results at the top of the table. Amazingly the bottom four teams all won.
VPS 1-2 Inter
VPS missed a huge chance to close the gap on HJK, chucking away an early lead against a struggling Inter, who'd had a long trip to the Faroes in midweek for their Europa League qualifier (they drew 1-1 with Vikingur).
Inter hero Sirbiladze - but should he have been playing (photo via Inter's Twitter)
A nineteenth minute goal from Ville Koskimaa set the ball rolling, and 2013's VPS could normally bank on seeing out a 1-0 lead. But a tired Inter fought back, and it was Georgian striker Irakli Sirbiladze who made the difference, with two goals in ten minutes before half-time - but should he have been playing?
Sirbiladze and Smith clash heads (photo via Arash Matin)
In Sirbiladze's previous league match, he was injured in the first half, and allegedly said "After football, I will kill you" to the referee at the break, and was sent off. He got a two match ban for the straight red, and the Finnish FA gave him an extra one match ban for the threat. Needless to say that has caused outrage, with people wondering about the message it sends out regarding the 'Respect' campaign. Either way, he returned with two goals, and Inter will be grateful that last year's Veikkausliiga maalikuningas (goal king) has hit some form.
Highlights of VPS 1-2 Inter
VPS remain in third, with 29 points from 17 games. Inter are tenth with 21 points from 18 matches.
JJK 1-0 Honka
This was JJK's first match under new coach Juha Pasoja, and what a start. Inflicting Honka's first defeat in six, damaging their medal hopes as well. Honka went into the game without key defender Gideon Baah, serving a one-match ban. But they started well, they had several chances, but couldn't convert any of them.
JJK celebrate (photo via Laura Hakalisto)
They were made to pay in the second half, JJK had a number of set pieces, and made one count with six minutes remaining. Substitute Topi Järvinen snuck in to meet a free kick and bundle it in. The game ended 1-0, and with the other results, a win was crucial in their attempts to avoid relegation. Meanwhile, JJK get a brief diversion this week, they play English League One club Notts County on Wednesday, as part of County's Finland pre-season tour.
Highlights of JJK 1-0 Honka
JJK are still bottom of the table, but now have fourteen points from seventeen matches, and remain four points behind Lahti. Honka remain second, level on 33 points with HJK (18 games), but missed a crucial chance to open a lead with HJK not in action.
Lahti 3-0 MYPA
Monday's game saw Lahti back in black at home, and it was in-form Brazilian Rafael who led them to another victory. Lahti had won three of their last four games, after losing seven out of nine. MYPA meanwhile had only won one game in five, after a decent start to the season.
Rafael celebrates again (photo via Juha Peurala)
Rafael had scored four in his last four games - and added two more here. The first involved nice work down the right wing by Joni Aho, with Rafael's effort taking a large deflection into the net after just four minutes. Beating the keeper and slotting the ball into the empty net on the hour gave him (and Lahti) a second goal. Debutant Jean Nganbe Nganbe capitalised on poor defending to round it off in injury time, and make it Lahti 3-0 MYPA.
Video highlights availabile here, via ESS.fi.
The result keeps Lahti in eleventh place, with eighteen points from 17 matches. MYPA meanwhile sit sixth, with 23 points from 17 games.
RoPS 1-0 KuPS
Saturday's action saw KuPS make the long trip north to Rovaniemi - whose previous match caused the sacking of JJK coach Kari Martonen.
RoPS celebrate their winner (photo via Jussi Leinonen)
The only goal was powerfully headed in by RoPS' Ndukaku Alison, his second in two games, with just twelve minutes on the clock. Both teams had chances, but it was the home keeper Tomi Maanoja who was the real hero, making several vital saves to ensure three points for RoPS. KuPS have only three wins in their last 11 games, and have only scored three goals in 5 games.
Highlights of RoPS 1-0 KuPS
RoPS are ninth in the table, with 21 points from 18 matches. KuPS are eighth, just one point ahead after 18 games.
IFK Mariehamn 0-0 Jaro
Mariehamn had returned from Azerbaijan as battered heroes. They drew 1-1 at Inter Baku, Adlam getting the away goal, but it was at a cost - Diego Assis and top scorer Dever Orgill both suffered cruciate ligament injuries and will miss the rest of the season. Jaro meanwhile have been inconsistent, playing well mostly but not converting the good play into points.
Stalemate (photo via Siri Lindén)
The key chance fell to Jaro, earning a penalty towards the end of the first half - but Shahdon Winchester's effort was saved by Mariehamn keeper Peter Enckelman. Coach Pekka Lyyski admitted that his thoughts had started to move towards the Europa League second leg on Thursday, but at this rate he'll be struggling to put out eleven men...
Highlights of IFK Mariehamn 0-0 Jaro
IFK Mariehamn are fifth in the table, with 25 points from 18 games. Jaro are seventh, with 23 from 17 games.
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