Veikkausliiga Recap: KuPS Falls Again While Inter Turku and HJK Narrow the Gap

After suffering their first defeat of the season in midweek, Veikkausliiga leaders KuPS now find themselves on a two-match losing streak, following a 2-0 setback at home against VPS.

The reigning champions appeared invincible earlier, amassing 22 points from a possible 24 in their opening eight fixtures. However, they were clearly outplayed by Ilves on Wednesday, conceding a 3-0 loss.

Hoping to make a swift recovery on home soil, KuPS faced adversity halfway through the first half when Prosper Ahiabu delivered a curling cross, which Nicolas Fleuriau converted with a header to give VPS the lead.

As the second half progressed, Fleuriau was substituted for Olli Jakonen. Jakonen’s first touch proved pivotal as he pursued a cleared free-kick from KuPS. His tenacity paid off when a careless back pass allowed him to deftly flick the ball past the stranded goalkeeper Johannes Kreidl, racing away to find the back of the net.

This victory marked VPS’s fourth match without defeat, with three of those wins coming against teams from the upper half of the table.

Meanwhile, KuPS’s lead at the summit has dwindled to four points, as Inter Turku secured a 1-0 victory away at SJK, with the unbeaten Inter having two games in hand, which is a growing concern for the Canaries.

The only goal in Sunday evening’s match arrived in the 11th minute, with visitors Inter Turku meticulously passing the ball around the edge of the area before Loic Essomba set up Luka Kuittinen. Kuittinen took his chance well, turning and curling the ball into the bottom corner.

This season, Turku’s record stands at five wins and three draws, while SJK, once at the top, has sadly dropped to sixth place after claiming just one point from their last five encounters.

In stark contrast, HJK is surging up the table, having achieved their fourth consecutive victory with a commanding 4-0 triumph over Mariehamn, propelling them to third place.

True to form, a win for HJK meant a goal for Teemu Pukki, who broke the ice in the first half after capitalising on a through ball from Pyry Mentu, marking his fifth goal of the league campaign.

The second half saw contributions from Alexander Ring, Santeri Hostikka, and Giorgos Antzoulas, ensuring not only the largest margin of victory for HJK this season but also their third game running in which they have scored four goals.

Mariehamn currently sit in eighth position with 10 points, continuing their trend of following every win with a loss this season.

In other matches, a goal from Kerfala Cissoko just a minute into the game for the hosts was equalised by Didrik Hafstad late in the first half, resulting in Jaro finishing 1-1 at home against Gnistan.

Friday night saw a goalless draw between KTP and Haka, while bottom-placed AC Oulu pulled off a surprising 0-0 draw away against Ilves, who have now slipped to fourth.

Oulu remain at the bottom with four points, one behind KTP and four shy of Haka and Jaro.