KTP was relegated from the Veikkausliiga after losing to IFK Mariehamn 0–2. The organizers secured the arrival of KTP head coach Juha Malinen to the match. You can watch the video of the event by clicking on the main image. Mariehamn meets Gnistan in the qualifiers.
Micke Suopuro,
SpongeBob Forsberg
IFK Mariehamn went into the away match of the final round with their backs against the wall. The team had to beat Kotka’s KTP so that its 19-year streak at the country’s premier league level would not end.
There was finally enough excitement until the 23rd minute of the game. At that time Mariehamn Ariel “Tuco” Nqueukam already completed his second hit of the match.
Mariehamn’s stormy start was enough, and KTP was unable to get past. Otto Hautamo kept IFK Mariehamn scoreless until the end. The victory culminated Mariehamn’s end-of-season streak.
– I didn’t have to do miracles myself. The gang helps a lot, great fun, Hautamo felt in an interview with Urheilu.
A seven-game losing streak in the Veikkausliiga shined through the highlights. The last time KTP had won was in August, when it overthrew SJK.
This is how KTP was relegated from the Veikkausliiga. It will be replaced by Ekenäs IF from Tammisaari, who won Ykkönen.
– The players, the coaching and the board need to look in the mirror. It must not be such a difficult season in the future. Big disappointment, KTP Valtteri Vesiaho upset Urheilu after the match.
IFK Mariehamn, on the other hand, still has to qualify for their place against Gnistan, who won Ykkönen in the promotion qualification after SJK Akatemia’s follow-up match 4–2.
– This win will give you a huge boost. We get energy for the two qualifying games, Mariehamn Hautamo said.
Head coach Malinen’s arrival at the match was secured
The club changed coaches at the end of August, when an experienced Juha Malinen your ear Jussi Leppälahten. Under Malinen, KTP was not able to win a single victory. There were seven losses.
Overall, KTP has only one win in the last 14 matches.
Kotkai fans have been unhappy with the change of coach. This was transmitted to television pictures before the match as well, as the orderlies secured Malinen’s arrival to the match just in case.
– This is results sports. I’m not going to explain. The team’s self-confidence was zero. My experience and vision were not enough, Malinen commented at the end of the season to STT.
In August, KTP reported about Leppälahti’s firing less than a month after the club had announced Leppälahti’s extension contract.
KTP has sailed between Veikkausliiga and Ykkönen. The team moved up to the Veikkausliiga for the 2021 season, fell to the 1st for the next season and moved up again for this season.
KTP’s best ranking is from the 2005 season, when it reached eighth place.
Updated at 18:10: The comments of the players and Juha Malinen and information about Mariehamn’s qualifying opponent have been added to the article.