The second weekend of Veikkausliiga 2014 brought the first full round of fixtures spread over two days. Unfortunately I didn't watch either of the televised games live (FA Cup semi-final and visiting family...) but here are quick summaries along with match highlights.
HJK 3-1 KuPS
KuPS opened the scoring after just five minutes through Miikka Ilo. But a fine turn and shot from Senegalese debutant Macoumba Kandji on 28mins levelled it, and HJK moved in front eleven minutes later through Robin Lod. A Mikael Forssell penalty on 57 minutes made it 3-1, and two wins from two for the champions.
Kandji celebrates his equaliser (via HJK's Facebook)
TPS 0-1 Honka
The skint derby was settled by a headed goal from Honka's Roni Porokara just before half time. Honka midfielder Mehmet Hetemaj was sent off in the second half for a second booking.
RoPS 1-1 SJK
SJK's first Veikkausliiga game ended with a creditable draw at RoPS. The hosts took the lead through a scramble from Kokko after 36 minutes. The visitors got their point through Serbian defender Milosavljević on 65mins, sending the travelling fans wild.
Highlights of Saturday's games
IFK Mariehamn 1-0 VPS
Mariehamn's season began with three points against early contenders VPS. but they left it late - a 93rd minute winner from Tomas Hradecky, heading in a free kick from Petteri Forsell. My clean sheet bonus for VPS keeper Henri Sillanpää goes begging.
Jaro 0-2 Inter
Jaro's wretched start continued with another blank and another defeat, this time to Inter Turku. Inter benefitted from early goals, a looping header from Gruborovics and a cheeky panenka penalty from the returning Mika Ojala.
MYPA 1-1 Lahti
Not quite an effort to match last week's drama (MYPA beat Honka 4-3)... But honours even. MYPA took the lead through Valeri Minkenen's smart volley on 62 minutes, before Lahti equalised via Drilon Shala's deflected free kick.
Highlights of Sunday's matches
See you next week!