Ekenäs IF opened the season in men’s football with a narrow victory over TPS. The Åland team, which was tipped as the clearest favorite for the series victory, only occasionally got its game going.
The final scores at Centrumplan in Ekenäs were 2-1 (0-0).
The hero of the match for the home team was goalkeeper Gerson Lima. He made some really nice saves in the second half as TPS pressed EIF on defense. Lima also managed to parry Riku Riski’s penalty kick in stoppage time, even worse, the Turku player was fastest on the return.
The start of the match and in practice the entire first half was characterized by careful and fragmented play. Both teams had a couple of halves but neither team could create anything really dangerous.
EIF’s Abdoulaye Kanté came closest to the goal with five minutes left in the half. His shot still went a couple of meters past the TPS goal.
With twelve minutes left of regular match time, EIF built up a quick attack from the left wing. Simon Lindholm provided a perfect position for substitute Salomo Ojala, who easily slotted in EIF’s first goal.
Efimov sure of the penalty spot
EIF’s second goal came from the penalty spot in the last regular minute of the match. Substitute Tobias Fagerström got free and was brought down by TPS goalkeeper Jere Koponen. The referee Joona Kontinen did not hesitate when he awarded a penalty and warned Koponen.
Stanislav Efimov fired the penalty safely into the goal.
TPS did not give up and pressured EIF on defense in stoppage time. The guests thus managed to reduce, but the equalizer failed.
EIF’s goalkeeper Gerson Lima made several fine saves in the second half.
Image: Patric Westerlund / Yle
soccer, men’s soccer players, Ettan, Ekenäs, Raseborg, Ekenäs IF, Västnyland, goalkeepers
The strong wind disturbed both teams, who all too often hit high balls. These high balls never resulted in anything dangerous. Instead, they were fairly easy for both teams’ defenses to clear.
The match did not offer any football finesse.
– I don’t want to hide behind the fact that the strong wind ruined a lot of the match, but we probably suffered more from it, said TPS coach Mika Laurikainen at the press conference after the match.
Laurikainen also claimed that EIF’s second goal was caused by an offside situation. He is still not inclined to introduce VAR checks in the Herretta.
– Perhaps more important is that we get our game in order.
EIF deserved the victory
EIF captain and centre-back William Lindqvist believes his team deserved to win the match.
– I think we were the better team today. It was a bit of a strange match. The wind disrupted the game quite a bit, says Lindqvist.
TPS midfielder Kasper Hämäläinen notes that the season opener is always difficult.
– Our game is in a building phase and there is still a lot left of the season. We knew that EIF has a good team. This time we lost, says Hämäläinen.
In TPS, center back Joonas Sundman made a fairly safe match. He was very good in the height duels. Linus Rönnberg on the left wing tried and fought well. In contrast, striker Alhaji Gero appeared both clumsy and slow.
In the EIF, the surprise move in the goal, Gerson Lima, was clear first. Lima played so well that league veteran Ramilson Almeida may find it difficult to take the place as first goalkeeper. Right back Jeannot Esua and center back Tabi Manga were also good in the home team. Simon Lindholm was sure of the ball throughout the match. Tobias Fagerström made a lively move on the left wing.
Fines to come
Joona Kontinen judged safely. He cautioned four players in the match. Almost 850 people watched the match. The match protocol is available on the Ball Association’s website.
The TPS supporters managed to smuggle Bengali torches and fireworks into the match. This likely means that the Football Association will punish the EIF with a fine.
Image: Patric Westerlund / Yle
soccer, men’s soccer players, Ettan, Ekenäs, Raseborg, Ekenäs IF, Västnyland, Bengal fire, fireworks, pyrotechnics
Ekenäs IF has to wait for a fine from the Football Association. The TPS supporters who came to the match set off fireworks and lit Bengali torches when the match started. There were about a hundred TPS fans at the match. It is, of course, the organizing association that is responsible for ensuring that this does not happen. On the other hand, TPS has a certain responsibility for its fans as well.
EIF plays its next match against JäPS in Träskända on Saturday (22.4). TPS goes to Karleby on the same day to face KPV.
Salolaget back in first place after more than 20 years
Salon Palloilijat played its first match in the men’s league in more than 20 years and celebrated the comeback with a victory over JäPS from Träskända. Jesse Huhtala scored both of SalPa’s goals in the match.
In Karleby, almost 1400 spectators saw KPV play a draw against JJK from Jyväskylä. The match ended 0-0.
The first round of the sixth and final match in the men’s division will be played tomorrow when Series newcomer Käpylän Pallo in Helsinki meets MP from S:t Michel.
Result, man
EIF – TPS 2-1 (0-0)
78 min Salomo Ojala 1-0, 90 min Stanislav Efimov (str) 2-0, 90+3 min Riku Riski 2-1.
Public: 842
KPV – JJK 0-0
Public: 1322
SalPa – JäPS 2-1 (1-1)
37 min Jesse Huhtala 1-0, 40 min Enoch Banza 1-1, 85 min Huhtala 2-1
Public: 465
