In the second round of the national league, HJK sought victory over Mariehamn, when they beat Åland United with a goal in overtime 2–1. The islanders arrived in Helsinki for the top fight of the round with revenge in mind, and the team was downright superior in the match.
Åland United won 4–1 (2–0) and moved past HJK into second place in the league.
– The last-minute goal of the previous match felt like a long time. They came for this revenge and victory. At least I had the desire to win today just because of that, so that’s why this feels good, assured United’s power forward Dana Leskinenwho had a few good goals himself.
– There would have been chances to score more goals, but we still scored great goals and got the win for Åland.
According to Leskinen, Åland United’s strength was that the team has improved this season in terms of play and as a team in every match. In his opinion, the HJK match was a good summary of that.
United scored two handsome goals from corner kicks after the first hit Sanni Ojanen and finished the third goal Anna Nurmi headed the ball from the center. The visitors’ second hit continued to the goal by Hailey Whitaker from low concentration Olivia Ulenius16, who thus scored his opening goal of the season. Aada Törrönen the goal came again when his cross fell to the HJK keeper Annika Laihanen behind the back.
HJK’s reduction to 1–2 was completed Lilli Halttunenwho moved after making a long ascent Emilia Kupsanen pass to the wigs of the goal.
– We had a few problems with the rhythm of the game. When we won the ball, we made hasty decisions. We played as individuals, the team game fell behind and especially in the first half it felt like the offensive game was sticky, HJK’s captain Mimmi Nurmela agreed and shared what the team plans to do during the upcoming three-week break:
– Let’s pull a new pre-season here and then come back with a new look. Let’s show how we really know how to play!
The leader of the league feasted with spectacular goals
KuPS didn’t let FC Honga, who finished fourth in the league, surprise them at home, as the team took a 2–0 (1–0) victory over Espoo. The people from Kuopio lead the National League with 27 points, while Åland United and HJK have 24 points.
The home team was the dominant side in the match and scored two spectacular goals. Anni Hartikainen a shot from the edge of the penalty area sank into the goal in the 27th minute and Only by Kröger a precise move gave KuPS a two-goal lead in the 55th minute.
In the evening match of the round, PK-35 Vantaa defeated ONS 1–0. ONS is last in the league and has not yet achieved a single point, PK-35 Vantaa is last to last. After the match, the National League retires for a break of almost three weeks, which is interrupted only by the Finnish Cup matches.
– I myself think that there really isn’t a break for the summer anyway. The national team window must be in this starting break. I think a little breather before the fast-paced autumn is good, I don’t see it as a bad thing, ‘s football expert Jonne Kunnas says.
The municipality considers the current league season to be clearly the most consistent compared to the next few years. Three teams are playing for the championship, and none of them have yet clearly separated from the others.
– Of course, this trio has already run away relatively briskly from the middle caste, he reminds.
Åland became the strongest
He feels that league leader KuPS got a new start after the change of coach. Ollipekka Ojalan go on sick leave Pauliina Miettinen has led the yellow and blacks firmly to the top spot, without losses.
– The game has to some extent relaxed and become easier as a result, they are able to threaten the opponent better again. However, they have not yet met their two main opponents again, Kunnas reflects and emphasizes that KuPS’s bad losses came against HJK and Åland United.
Kunnas feels that the people from Åland are in the strongest mood of the series. The pain of the traditionally difficult opening rounds has been pushed away, while the game has only improved.
– Their Sunday HJK victory in Helsinki was convincing. In my opinion, they are clinging to the top spot like that, but there is still a long stretch ahead until the fall.
Leski and Nurmela were interviewed by Anders Nordenswan.
Series table
Update: The result of the match between PK-35 Vantaa and ONS has been updated.