VPS surpass HJK in Veikkausliiga following stellar second half performance

VPS 2-1 HJK

HJK appeared to be gaining momentum with away draws against the current top two teams, Inter Turku and KuPS, followed by a victory at Lahti. However, an unexpected defeat at TPS in their previous match left them with just one win in their last four games, two of which were against newly promoted teams.

They seemed to be finding their rhythm once more when they opened the scoring in the sixth minute. A deep cross from the left was headed back by Alex Ring and met with a half volley by Lassi Lappalainen, who marked his first goal since rejoining HJK from Major League Soccer, aided by a significant deflection.

The hosts found it difficult to generate meaningful chances for the remainder of the first half, but their luck turned shortly after the hour mark.

Luka Smyth collected the ball from Jayden Turfkruier, pivoted, and shrugged off multiple challenges before unleashing a low strike from 25 yards. While the shot may have lacked power, its precision more than compensated, slipping past Matej Markovic's dive and finding the bottom corner.

In the closing 15 minutes, VPS secured the decisive goal against the record champions after being awarded a penalty, and Simon Lindholm converted from the spot to claim all three points.

VPS have now gone five league matches without defeat since their sole loss of the season, a game in which they were reduced to nine men. HJK's season record now stands at three wins, three draws, and three losses.