IFK Mariehamn is bottom of the football league table after another loss, this time with 0–2 against KuPS.
IFK Mariehamn has not managed to open the victory account in the opening four games of the season. The loss against KuPS was the team’s third in a row.
– We defended poorly in a couple of situations. It punishes itself against a team of KuPS’ caliber, says Elmo Henriksson in Ruutu’s interview after the match.
The first half was mostly poor for both teams. After half-time, the visitors took control of the game and took the lead thanks to Urho Nissilä in the 52nd minute.
Six minutes later, KuPS also put the nail in the coffin when Seth Saarinen extended the score to 2–0.
– It was not a convincing effort from us. The first half was anemic. We emphasized at half-time that we need more movement at the top. When we started doing it, it paid off, comments KuPS player Anton Popovitch.
– I am happy with the victory, but in the first half we did not play the way I had hoped.
Next Saturday, IFK Mariehamn will travel to Vaasa and meet VPS in a battle at the bottom where both teams will try to get their first win of the season. VPS’s start to the season has also been difficult and involved two losses and two draws.
Immediate effect after the coach change
KuPS, who gave way to former stalwart Pasi Tuutti after only three games, seem to have reversed course under new coach Jani Honkavaara. The team collected just one point in the opening three matches under Tuutti’s management, but have won the last two.
The sudden change of coach forced the players to change completely.
– It has been hectic. We’ve gone through everything from the basics and the way Honkavaara wants us to play. It has succeeded and we have won two in a row, says Popovitch.
In the next round, the Kuopio team will face the reigning champions HJK in a match that could be the most important of the season in the fight for the league title.
The football league
IFK Mariehamn–KuPS 0–2
52′ Urho Nissilä
59′ Seth Saarinen
