Veikkausliiga Wrap-Up: HJK’s Troubling Beginning Persists While SJK Remains Unbeaten

Record Finnish champions HJK have endured a dismal start to the 2025 Veikkausliiga season, suffering a 1-0 defeat in the Helsinki derby against Gnistan on Tuesday, which marked their third consecutive loss. In a separate fixture on Wednesday, SJK maintained their perfect record with a victory over AC Oulu, while reigning champions KuPS kept their unbeaten run intact by overcoming Mariehamn.

After narrowly falling to SJK with ten men and losing to early leaders Ilves away from home, HJK were anticipated to claim their first points back at the Bolt Arena against city rivals Gnistan, who were also on the wrong end of two early defeats.

This expectation persisted throughout a first half that was controlled by the home side; however, their lack of precision was highlighted by only one of eight shots managing to hit the target.

As the weather conditions worsened in the second half, Gnistan appeared to adapt more effectively. The visitors, having already pushed HJK keeper Thijmen Nijhuis into making a couple of saves, were awarded a penalty shortly before the hour mark due to a push by Daniel O’Shaughnessy on Vertti Hanninen.

Joakim Latonen took the responsibility and expertly sent Nijhuis the wrong way to put Gnistan in front.

Teemu Pukki attempted to spark a late revival for HJK with several chances, but neither he nor his teammates could find the back of the net. Consequently, only goal difference has kept Toni Korkeakunnas’ side from occupying the bottom spot on the table, while Pukki remains without a league goal since his return.

For Gnistan, this moment marked a historic achievement – following their earlier victory over HJK in the Liiga Cup this year, this win represented their first-ever triumph in the Veikkausliiga against their significant rivals.

Meanwhile, a surprise was brewing early on in Seinajoki, but league leaders SJK eventually overturned the situation to secure a 3-1 win against AC Oulu.

The visitors managed to weather an early storm of chances before taking the lead against the run of play with an impressive strike. After winning back possession high up the pitch, Niklas Jokelainen set up Otto Kemppainen, who curled a brilliant shot into the top corner from the edge of the area.

However, SJK quickly responded, finding the equaliser just four minutes later. Babacar Fati was forced wide by goalkeeper William Eskelinen, but managed to reach the byline and his pull-back deflected off Eskelinen and into the net before he could recover.

In the second half, SJK sealed their victory with two goals in the space of just 12 minutes, with Eskelinen again struggling to make a save on the first of these. He fumbled a shot from Momodou Bojang, allowing Kasper Paananen to tap the ball into an empty net.

Midway through the second half, Markus Arsalo unleashed a strike from 20 yards out that took a significant deflection, diverting it past the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.

SJK now boast four wins from four matches, while Oulu’s poor goal difference sees them placed just above HJK at the bottom of the table.

KuPS remains hot on the heels of SJK, amassing 10 points from four matches after a convincing 4-1 win at home against Mariehamn.

The opening goal came in the 37th minute when the visitors failed to clear a defensive scramble, allowing Otto Ruoppi to calmly slot the ball home.

Just before half-time, a second goal appeared to put the match beyond doubt, as Petteri Pennanen unleashed a powerful strike from long distance that flew past Matias Riikonen.

Yet the Aland islanders clawed their way back into the contest in the final 20 minutes, with Muhamed Olawale connecting with Jiri Nissinen’s cross to nod one back into the bottom corner.

However, their hopes of a comeback were dashed with two quick goals in the last ten minutes. Joslyn Luyeye-Lutumba netted the third with a clinical finish from Ruoppi’s square pass.

Then, Luyeye-Lutumba turned provider, assisting Ruoppi who then fired home from the edge of the box to make it four.

The defeat leaves Mariehamn sitting ninth in the standings, with just three points from their first four matches.

The Veikkausliiga action resumes this weekend with a full slate of matches.