Highlights of Thursday's games
HJK 1-0 IFK Mariehamn
In Mika Lehkosuo's first home game
in charge of the champions, they left it incredibly late. So late in fact, that
it was nearly eight minutes into the (minimum) seven added minutes before Demba
Savage scored the only goal, aided by a hefty deflection. Mariehamn had played well, and were good value for
at least a point, their dynamic attack creating a number of chances while HJK
had plenty of the ball. Three wins out of
three now for Bana, while their visitors make the journey home wondering how it
all happened.
Jaro 1-0 VPS
After a high-profile launch in the
week of a mini-league for the Ostrabothnia clubs (Jaro, VPS and SJK), the first
match ended with Jaro keeping up their impressive recent form with a
hard-fought win. Jonas Emet's 68th minute goal made the difference, assisted by
the superb Hendrik Helmke. VPS are now winless in three games, and are struggling
for goals in the absence of Steven Morrissey, although they did have a late penalty saved.
SJK 0-0 Honka
A niggly game, with very little in
the way of talking points on the pitch. Afterwards however, Honka coach Shefki
Kuqi of crying to the referee, saying "I thought I was at a women's
game" before taking to Twitter to apologise. Honka gave a debut to on-loan
Crystal Palace midfielder Ghassimu Sow as a second half substitute, but that's
about it.
KuPS 1-0 RoPS
Another solid result for new KuPS manager Marko Rajamäki, taking his side off the bottom. Gambian defender Omar Colley got the only goal on 65 minutes, volleying in a corner, but the game will unfortunately be remembered for the wrong reasons by RoPS - they lost both Juuso Majava and Petteri Pennanen to serious injuries in the first half, and both are unlikely to play again this season. Their lengthy injury list grows, and they face HJK in their next game.
MYPA 4-1 TPS
High-flying MYPA continue their
impressive start, putting four past bottom side TPS. Denis Abdulahi headed the opener before half-time (41'), and Pekka Sihvola made it two with a neat place on 57 minutes.
TPS pulled one back through Englishman Wayne Brown's fine effort, but then Brazilian ace
Stéfano Pinho grabbed two goals (69' and 86') to round off a fine win. Antti
Muurinen's side had their Europa League place confirmed in the morning, and
celebrated in style. TPS meanwhile have only the win at HJK to enjoy this year,
and are in danger of losing touch with the rest of the table.
Lahti 0-0 Inter
Played on an agricultural potato
field in a decaying stadium, the game didn't promise much. Both sides had some chances, but again, something else took centre stage. Joining the 'hilarious'
injuries hall of fame was Inter goalkeeper Magnus Bahne, who after warming up
and changing his jersey in the locker room, sliced his finger open on a
fluourescent light and ruled himself out. Youngster Jere Koponen was an able
deputy while the gruesome finger was stitched up. I've been assured that it was
a laughing matter, perhaps not for Bahne...
Lahti's pitch on Thursday (taken by the official Inter Turku Twitter)
