Finnish title holders KuPS suffered a setback in their quest for an unbeaten season, as their impressive seven-match winning streak in the Veikkausliiga came to an abrupt end with a 3-0 defeat against Ilves in Tampere last night. This came on the back of Teemu Pukki leading HJK to another commanding victory over a struggling SJK.
Having experienced three defeats in their last four matches, Ilves had seen their chances of competing at the top of the table slip away recently, and few expected them to turn their fortunes around against a KuPS side that had built a seven-point cushion at the summit.
However, KuPS’ recent scoring prowess, which had seen them net three goals in their last two fixtures, evaded them in the first half, with neither team registering a shot on target. The hosts, though, were more dynamic in their attacking approach.
Ilves broke the deadlock just ten minutes after the interval. After applying continued pressure in the KuPS box, Oiva Jukkola unleashed a strike from the edge of the area that nestled into the bottom corner.
With 20 minutes remaining, the Lynx extended their lead. A deep corner was headed back into the mix, landing perfectly for Matias Rale, who executed a superb half-volley to find the back of the net.
Ilves capped off a flawless evening just two minutes before the end. Breaking out from their own half, the ball was moved to Marius Soderback, who weaved his way across the penalty area before expertly slotting the ball past Johannes Kreidl.
This victory propels Ilves up to third in the standings, now tied on 15 points with Inter Turku, the last team remaining unbeaten in the Finnish top flight.
KuPS, meanwhile, will have to consider their first defeat since their visit to Tammelan Stadion in September, although they remain seven points ahead of their closest rivals, having played two games more than Inter Turku.
At the same time, HJK, who began the season with three straight losses, faced SJK, who had celebrated four victories. However, after recent performances, only a single point now separates the two sides in the standings, following HJK’s 4-2 win on Tuesday night.
The home side raced to a commanding 3-0 lead within just 35 minutes, with Teemu Pukki showcasing his talent for HJK. In the eighth minute, he set up Santeri Hostikka with a perfect pass just outside the box, enabling Hostikka to coolly slot the ball past the goalkeeper.
Just seven minutes later, Pukki provided his second assist, charging into SJK’s half and laying off a ball for Alexander Ring, who lifted it over the goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
Pukki then found the net himself with HJK’s third. After winning back possession high up the pitch, he capitalised on a through ball from Ring. Although SJK keeper Roope Paunio got a hand to it, he couldn’t prevent the ball from crossing the line.
Although Pukki had been without a goal involvement in HJK’s early-season losses, he has now contributed in every one of the five matches since, propelling the club to an unbeaten streak.
An extraordinary own goal from Aniis Machaal made it 4-0 shortly after the break, and while Rasmus Karjalainen managed to score from the spot and Valentin Roman Gasc added another for Seinajoki, it offered little consolation as they currently languish in fourth place, having taken only two points from their last five matches.
Despite this, HJK now sit fifth, extending their run under interim manager Miika Nuutinen to three victories in as many matches.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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