Three matches were played in the football league on Tuesday. KuPS’s coaching change has had an immediate effect and the team is suddenly overshadowing league leader HJK. For the third last year’s medalist Honka, everything went wrong.
Last Thursday, former national team star Roman Eremenko was ready for last season’s bronze team Honka. In the home match against Haka, he had to start on the bench, but jumped in after the half-time break when Honka was down 0–2.
When 70 minutes had been played, it was game over for Eremenko. He tackled the opponent Henri Malundama and the referee Petri Viljanen immediately pulled out the red card.
A decimated Honka could not challenge for victory and Haka thus won 2–0.
Fourth straight victory for KuPS
Last year’s silver medalists KuPS started the season with a 0–1–2 record, which meant that head coach Pasi Tuutti had to go. After Jani Honkavaara took over, things have gone smoothly.
KuPS beat AC Oulu 2–0 away from home to claim their fourth straight victory under Honkavaara.
| Lag | Matcher | Point |
|---|---|---|
| 1. HJK | 7 | 14 |
| 2. KuPS | 7 | 13 |
| 3. SJK | 5 | 11 |
| 4. Honka | 7 | 9 |
As the reigning champions HJK simultaneously dropped points against KTP in Kotka, KuPS is now only one point behind the lead.
HJK led KTP 2–0 at halftime. When stoppage time was announced, HJK’s lead was 3–2, but Willis Furtado equalized in the second minute of stoppage time.
Results
Honka–Haka 0–2 (0–2)
30′ Logan Rogerson 0–1
43′ Juan Lescano 0–2
70′ Roman Eremenko (Honka) sent off
Public: 1 868
AC Oulu–KuPS 0–2 (0–0)
52′ Jasse Tuominen
60′ Joona Veteli
Public: 1 705
KTP–HJK 3–3
3′ Maksim Stjopin 0–1
23′ Matti Peltola 0–2
59′ Simo Roiha 1–2
78′ Mika 2–2
84′ Liam Möller 2–3
90+2′ Willis Furtado 3–3
Public: 3 065
