A full round of fixtures this weekend, but plenty still to play for with eight sets of fixtures remaining. The gap between second and third is now pretty huge, while relegation for one team is now surely a formality...
JJK 2-3 Lahti
Was this the match that condemned JJK to relegation? If so, it also showed the improvement Lahti have made under Juha Malinen as they tore into a 0-3 lead inside half an hour, all three goals in nine minutes. Rafael (19'), Hietanen (25') and a Rafael penalty (28') gave the hosts a huge mountain to climb.
Lahti celebrate their second goal (photo via KSML)
Mikko Manninen scored after 31mins, and a 78th minute Eero Markkanen goal made the end interesting, but they'd left it too late. Rafael jumped to second in the all time Veikkausliiga scoring list with 115, and clear at the top of this season's list with 11 goals. Lahti have won 8 of their last 13 league matches, while JJK have two league wins in 13.
Highlights are available here, via the KSML website.
Highlights are available here, via the KSML website.
JJK are now ten points adrift of 11th placed Inter, with 19 points from 25 matches. Lahti are tenth, with thirty points from 25 games - only six points behind third...
Honka 3-0 VPS
Meanwhile at the top... Leaders Honka may have expected a tougher game against the team in third place - but VPS had only won two matches in nine games, and barely threatened Honka, despite having Steven Morrissey in the starting line-up.
No panic on the pitch at Tapiola due to Morrissey (photo via Aleksi Tuomola)
Honka's opener came from Jussi Vasara just before half-time (43'), after some sustained pressure on the VPS goal. But they left it late to add more goals, a deflected effort from Porokara (85') and an injury time penalty from Äijälä.
Highlights of Honka 3-0 VPS
Honka still lead the championship, with 49 points from 25 games, one point ahead of HJK (who have a game in hand). VPS have 36 points from 25 matches, and are in third place.
KuPS 3-2 IFK Mariehamn
Both teams had been active in the transfer market recently, and KuPS edged a cracker. One-time Finnish international Juha Hakola scored from a tight angle nine minutes in (via a hefty deflection from Patrick Byskata), giving KuPS the lead, before Mariehamn new boys Solignac and Ibrahim made it 1-2 to Mariehamn. An Ilja Venäläinen penalty (67') and a Dudu winner (70') won the match for KuPS. Mariehamn's new English defender Darren Purse received a straight red card in injury time for a hefty challenge, and a bit of elbow.
Ibrahim in action
Highlights of KuPS 3-2 IFK Mariehamn
KuPS are seventh in the league, with 31 points from 25 games. IFK Mariehamn are fourth, with 35 points from 25 matches.
HJK 2-1 MYPA
HJK kept up the pressure on Honka with a hard-fought win over MYPA. HJK were made to fight hard for the three points, and opened the scoring through a Mattila penalty on 42mins, after Zeneli had been fouled. Anttilainen equalised on the hour, from an acute angle. Rasmus Schüller scored the winner on 76mins, shooting from the edge of the box.
Highlights of HJK 2-1 MYPA
HJK remain second, 48 points from 24 games, one game in hand over Honka. MYPA are sixth, with 33 points from 24 games - they play TPS on Wednesday.
RoPS 1-1 TPS
A TPS squad struggling with injuries made the long trip north, and came away with a point. Petteri Pennanen's penalty after 33 mins gave TPS the lead, but Aleksandr Kokko's sixth goal of the season before half time saved a point.
Kokko celebrates his equaliser
Highlights of RoPS 1-1 TPS
RoPS are ninth, 31 points from 25 games. TPS are eighth, with 31 points from 23 games, they play MYPA on Wednesday.
Inter 1-0 Jaro
Monday night's game saw struggling Inter claim a rare win over a Jaro side who were looking to steal a march in the race for third. Jaro keeper Jesse Ost had his usual sterling performance in goal, but was assisted by the wayward shooting of Inter forward Guy Gnabouyou.
Guy prepared to misfire again
Inter waited until the 85th minute before breaking the deadlock - substitute Irakli Sirbiladze benefitted from some insane Jaro defending, and slotting home to seal three valuable points. Jaro meanwhile now have no win in five.
Highlights of Inter 1-0 Jaro
Inter remain eleventh, with 29 points from 25 games - ten points clear of bottom club JJK. Jaro are fifth, with 34 points from 25 matches.
