Finnish Football | Veikkausliiga | 14.06.17 - 15.06.17
So, the break is over and the national team of Finland lost as usual. Luckily there is Veikkausliiga, and it continues right on spot.
Yesterday we had three games. PS Kemi faced the champions of last year IFK Marienhamn, HIFK was playing against SJK and KuPS battled against VPS. All the games were pretty exciting and there was plenty of action.
Today the league continues with another game when the leader HJK will go against the last team in the league JJK.
14.06.2017 (UTC +3)
Three matches were played. Let's look at them shortly:
PS Kemi - IFK M | 18.30 | 3-0
PS Kemi was on fire. They beat the reigning champions by three goals and securing a shutout. 3-0 was the final score and the goalscorers were Valenčič (1-0, 20'), Mansally (2-0, 63') and finally Gullsten (3-0, 73'). Nothing much to mention otherwise. Nice goals, no bad injuries or suspensions.
KuPS - VPS | 18.30 | 2-2
KuPS was going to this match without three of their key players; Salami, Duah and Nissilä. Ok, maybe Duah is not a key player but whatever. KuPS squad is a large one and luckily there is lots of youth talent to throw in (but they do not have the same quality as the missing players) if needed. Allthough, the team is still pretty good as Salami has not even been in a good form. Maybe the worst miss is Nissilä, who is injured at the moment and the rest of the season is at risk.
The game had action till the end and finally the game was tied as the referee blowed the whistle. Final score 2-2. Goalscorers of the match were Purje (1-0, 26'), Lähde (1-1, 35'), Vahtera (1-2, 67') and Boxall (2-2, 71'). Nikko Boxall got himself booked twice and was shown a red card when 82 minutes was played. Bad news for KuPS team already missing players. This did not matter right now and it was a dull tie. No bad injuries.
HIFK - SJK | 18.30 | 0-2
Both team has been in a bad form. SJK seems to be turning it around with their new coach and there is lots of positive signs floating around. The same can not be said about HIFK, coached by Finnish Football Coach/Manager legend Antti Muurinen. HIFK seems to have lost all their hope and their game looks as tires as the teams average age can tell.
Anyway the game ended 0-2 and HIFK performed pretty bad, maybe the worst of this season so far. SJK had no easy time for sure, but still managed to secure a comfortable win without conceding goals.
The saddest event of the evening was the shock injury of Tommi Vesala who had to be carried away on a stretcher. We all following know that Vesala is not the first one to cry or fake. It seemed like it was his ankle and it got stuck on the ground or something. Hoping all the good for him. The goalscorers were Ions (0-1, 7') and Ions (0-2, 90+3') again.
15.06.2017 (UTC +3)
Today we go again! One match. The leader facing the last one. I won't go to acronyms.
HJK - JJK | 18.30
The league leader HJK will face the last team of the table JJK. HJK just sold (not fully confirmed yet) their star striker Alferdo Morelos to Glasgow Rangers and will have to do without him. They have not bought any replacement and they got to cope with Ousman Jallow and Akseli Pelvas who are both able to play the striker position. There is also very many youth players as HJK is one of the largest teams around. Another huge miss is Moustagh Yaghoubi who is suspended. Luckily for HJK, they are facing JJK at this point. They could not hope for "better" opponent.
JJK has had lots of injuries. Already a thin squad, the newly promoted team has been fighting against better opponents and the players have been very tired. The situation is better now as many JJK players are said to be to make a return today. The rest of the squad had a rest they needed during the break and are ready to face the giant.
If I had to predict the result, it would be 5-1 for the home team. I still believe HJK is capable of scoring plenty of goals.
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