Promoted KTP scored a handsome 3–3 draw goal in the second minute of overtime into HJK’s net in Kotka. Jukka Raitala is disappointed with the team’s defensive play after a good start to the season.
In the Veikkausliiga football league, the series leader HJK, who lost to KuPS last time, lost points again when the home team KTP forced the Helsinki team to a 3–3 draw in Kotka on Tuesday.
HJK went in the first half by Maksim Styopin and Matti Peltolan with goals for a 2-0 halftime lead. The hard-fought KTP suffered in the second half Simo Roihan and Mikan with hits to levels 2-2.
When an 18-year-old league debutant Liam Moller took HJK to a 3–2 lead in the 84th minute, the game was thought to be over everywhere except in Kotka. KTP and Cape Verde national team striker Alves Furtado however, tied the game at 3-3 in overtime.
Watch the video of the main picture of the story to see how KTP rose to the levels in the last moments.
HJK captain Jukka Raitala was really disappointed in Ruuttu’s interview after the match. The defender praised his team’s first half, but considered the second half’s performance to be weak.
– Unbelievable second half. We lost almost all the duels, and KTP got pressured. An incredible meltdown, Raitala would say.
Raitala said that the team had talked at halftime that the home team would change something in their game. In addition, Raitala said that KTP is already a familiar team to the people of Helsinki from the winter season.
– In a 2-0 lead, such a meltdown can never happen, Raitala updated.
HJK started the season with three clean sheets, but in the last two matches alone, the team has conceded five goals. It was clear to the captain that the defensive game in particular needs to be improved in the future.
– Aggressiveness and the desire to defend must be changed. Kotka got to places too easily, Raitala assessed in Ruuttu’s interview.
In his debut, Eremenko flew into the shower
In Espoo, Haka from Valkeakoski applied by Logan Rogerson and Juan Lescano with hits in a 2-0 away win from Honga. Honga’s recent acquisition Roman Eremenko received a straight red card in the second half and was kicked off the field. Eremenko, who entered the game midway through the substitution, enjoyed himself on the field for 25 minutes.
– That kind of thing just happens, you shouldn’t think too much about it. He tries his best. Maybe he (Eremenko) was a bit eager. It’s a big deal that he’s here – quite a signing from us, Honga midfielder Lucas Kaufmann told STT.
Tuesday turned out to be quite successful for the Koski team, the visitors turned the battle for themselves after a cautious start. Haka hit twice before the half-time whistle.
– The defense was great. It’s good that we got the first zero, Haka’s goalkeeper Good morning Hakala rejoiced.
KuPS defeated away Jasse Tuominen and Joona Vetelin AC Oulu 2-0 with the goals scored in the second half. He started the season sluggishly, as the head coach Pasi Tuut in place of Jani Honkavaara replaced KuPS has won four games in a row and became second in the series, already one point behind HJK.
For Jasse Tuominen, who has returned from his tour abroad, the goal was the first of the league season. The last time the striker hit was in the fall of 2016, when Tuominen’s FC Lahti claimed an away win over PS Kemi.
Many remember Tuominen from the Huuhkaja shirt. In November 2019, he scored a goal in the Liechtenstein victory, which secured Finland’s entry to the European Championships. In recent years, there has not been a place in the Huuhkajie lineup.
– I still hope that one day I will be there, but you have to earn a place. Of course, that’s the goal, but I’m focusing on what I’m doing on a daily basis. The place will come if it’s meant to come, 27-year-old Tuominen said.
Veikkausliiga round 9.5.:
KTP – HJK 3–3 (0-2) 0–1 Stjopin’s 3.
0–2 Peltola 23.
1–2 Roiha 58.
2–2 Mika 78.
2–3 Möller 84.
3–3 Alves Furt 90+2.
Audience: 3065
FC Honka – FC Haka 0-2 (0-2) 0-1 Rogerson 30.
0–2 Lescano 43.
Audience: 1868
AC Oulu – KuPS 0–2 (0-0) 0–1 Bringing 52.
0–2 Veteli 60.
Audience: 1705
Series table