In the Veikkausliiga, KuPS beat IFK Mariehamn 3–0 and HJK FC Inter 1–0.
Sakari Lund,
Hinn Hirvonen,
Only Paloniemi
The top teams of the Football Veikkausliiga KuPS and HJK won their match on Sunday. KuPS defeated IFK Mariehamn 3–0 and HJK FC Inter 1–0. KuPS’s lead over HJK is therefore still four points.
KuPS won with a routine. Ousmane Diawara completed the first two hits.
For Inter, the loss meant that their chances for the championship faded away. The difference between the team and the leading Vaasa Ball Club is four points and there is one round left in the regular season. VPS and FC Lahti played a 0–0 draw today.
Right after the match started, HJK fans protested against the video referee system VAR by throwing tennis balls onto the field. They had a sheet that read: “Let’s keep futis authentic, reject VAR”. The match was stopped for a moment.
From HJK, among other things, he has recently improved as a goal scorer With Lee Erwin there were a couple of scoring chances, but the only hit of the match had to wait until the 71st minute. Finished it Aapo Halme.
Inter Legbo still hit the post, but the away team couldn’t get closer to the goal.
HJK, which is busy with matches, played on Thursday in the Faroe Islands in the Conference League qualifying match, and the second leg against Klaksvik is scheduled for next Thursday.
– A good performance here in the middle of all the rushes. There were more places to score goals. So much head start has already been given in the spring that we can’t afford to give points. This was a committed presentation, Korkeakunnas said.
According to Korkeakunnas, there was a committed atmosphere in the booth even before the match. Especially after the previous match against Klaksvik, the team’s defensive play has received criticism. According to critics, the team’s attacking has also been relying too much on Erwin.
– I don’t read praises, and I don’t read barks. The caravan moves and the dogs bark. Whenever HJK loses, it’s a crisis. We have our own criteria according to which we do this work. Like I said, we’ve got our heads above the water, even though it’s been tough.
Korkeakunnas emphasizes that it has not been easy to build a team in the middle of the season. However, the positive thing is that the team is interesting.
– It would be sad if no one was interested.
For the past three years, the championship race has been tight in the Veikkausliiga. With the victory of KuPS, the difference between the teams in the standings is still four points.
– They do their own thing and we do ours. Wait and see. We have everything in our own hands to come second and get to Europe, then that’s it. If KuPS is so good, what are you doing?
The fans’ sentiment towards the video referee system seen at the beginning of the match gained some understanding from Korkeakunnas.
– VAR is a beautiful idea and a good idea. In practice, however, it has probably taken away the romanticism of football in the eyes of the fans, when you don’t really know if you can celebrate a goal. I understand the emotional side of it, but I won’t start commenting on the fans’ actions anyway. They have their own systems and we have our own systems.
The result of the VPS – FC Lahti match was added to the story at 21:16.