Arsenal v Man City aka "Super Match" - some thoughts

This Saturday sees a friendly between English clubs Arsenal and Manchester City - billed in Finland as "Super Match". Now there is nothing to play for in theory, for both clubs it's the last pre-season friendly and the end to a summer of several miles covering the US and Asia.

The clubs played prior to last season as well, in Beijing, which saw City win 2-0. Arsenal even pandered to their prospective sponsors and fans by wearing their shirt sponsor Emirates in Chinese script. This year will be a chance for City fans to see their new signings Navas, Jovetic and Negredo, while Finland-based Gunners supporters can see, er, part Finn and baseball cap designer Carl Jenkinsn.

Now the match has received huge publicity in Finland, but not all for the right reasons. There are huge sums involved in hosting the game, which are of course covered by some outlandish ticket prices. Other than a handful of tickets available at £30, the majority of tickets in the Arsenal end went for £60 - almost as much as a ticket to watch a category A game at the Emirates.

Another issue is about why should it be a match between two English sides? Surely it would be more interesting for Arsenal (for example) to play a Finnish club? Despite the partisan nature, it would at least be more of a novelty to see them take on HJK or Honka for example, or even make it an exhibition by fielding a team of Veikkausliiga players.

I'll admit I'm not helping the issue by flying over from London to watch the match, but then I've got an Arsenal season ticket and I've seen Arsenal play all over Europe - I had always said I'd love to see Arsenal in Finland, but I'd hoped it'd be in the Champions League.

The other point of note is the impact on domestic Finnish football. This weekend sees a full round of matches, and Saturday sees the Veikkausliiga match between JJK and Jaro, billed as "Super Matsi". It promises to be well attended, with various other fan-led activities taking place in Jyväskylä. Friend of the blog Egan Richardson wrote about it for Supporters Direct, read here.

Thursday also saw JJK release a video they made, highlighting the impact of Super Match on Finnish football - would the 36,000 odd attendees go and see any of the league matches at the weekend? Do the English clubs need the money?

I appreciate the fact that if it wasn't Arsenal playing, I'd probably be slating the Super Match, and cursing the teams involved. Having only just been to Finland (in June), to fly back so quick is both expensive and pretty inconvenient - maybe I should save my money and go to the Champions League play-off instead?

I'll be in Helsinki on Saturday (drinking in Kallio before the game), cheering on my team. Hopefully it won't do too much damage to the league and culture I've come to call my own...

Plus I hate Carlsberg.

Veikkausliiga week 22 - Late Lahti

I spent the weekend in Manchester, watching cricket. Unfortunately I missed Saturday's match, so this is a bit of a rush job. Becoming a theme really! Anyway, a quick re-cap. I'll skip over the goalless draws...

TPS 1-2 Lahti

Monday night's clash was important for both sides - TPS were losing touch with the top, deep in the middle pack with games in hand. Lahti needed to keep up their recent good form, and to create space between themselves and JJK.

Spot the ball (photo via TS)

Lahti took the lead early, Loorents Hertsi's third goal in four games with just seven minutes gone. TPS waited until deep into the second half, Wayne Brown equalising with fifteen minutes left. It was the second minute of injury time when Markus Joenmäki popped up to win it. TPS will also be rueing the loss of Kennedy Eriba, potentially out for the season after a nasty ankle injury.

Highlights of TPS 1-2 Lahti

TPS drop to eighth place in the table, with 27 points from 20 games. Lahti overtake Inter and are in tenth, also with 27 points from their 22 matches.

VPS 2-2 IFK Mariehamn

Another late show was crucial, and VPS will be kicking themselves. They'd got themselves a 2-0 lead after two goals from Tomi Ameobi, and all looked safe for a rare three points. But Mariehamn were inspired by the returning Petteri Forsell, looking vibrant after a long lay-off, and goals from Mattias Wiklöf (80') and Forsell (89') secured a valuable point.

Highlights of VPS 2-2 IFK Mariehamn

VPS remain in third place, with 33 points from 22 matches. Mariehamn are sixth, 29 points from 22 games.

JJK 0-3 MYPA

During a difficult time off the pitch, JJK could sorely use three points in their bid to avoid the drop. A home tie against a MYPA side in poor form looked like an ideal time - but this was a chasing. A 39th minute goal from Ville Salmikivi set the tone, and two quick goals from Pekka Sihvola (56') and Jonathon Okafor (59') sealed it. Another red card for the hosts, this time Anssi Viren, ensured a wretched day.

Highlights of the game can be seen here, via the KSML website.

JJK remain bottom, 18 points from 22 games, six points adrift of the team above them. MYPA are fifth, 29 points from 21 games.

KuPS 0-0 HJK

A record (official) crowd of 4379 for KuPS greeted HJK - unfortunately the club won't be relying on word of mouth for future ticket sales. An uninspiring match, committed but with few chances, and a point that does little for either side.

Highlights of KuPS 0-0 HJK

KuPS are sixth, with 27 points from 22 matches. HJK are second, 41 matches from 21 games, two points behind Honka.

Honka 0-0 Inter

Two red cards, plenty of yellows, not much for the attending scouts (there have been a few at Honka this season), and again a stalemate, but with the referee having a starring role. Honka missed a chance to extend their lead, while Inter's season continues to limp with nothing to show - one league win in 15 games with six goals scored in those.

Highlights of Honka 0-0 Inter

Honka remain top, with 43 points from 22 matches. Inter are eleventh, with 24 points from 22 games.

RoPS 0-0 Jaro

There are rarely goals in Rovaniemi. Jaro have been in good form. One was bound to win out - and it was a third goalless draw in five home matches for RoPS. Jaro are struggling with injuries, but will look at a missed chance.

Highlights of RoPS 0-0 Jaro

RoPS are ninth, 27 points from 22 games. Jaro are fourth, 32 points from 22 matches.