KuPS withstand AC Oulu’s challenge to claim the top spot in the early Veikkausliiga standings

KuPS 3-2 AC Oulu

The current titleholders have made an impressive start to the new season, securing seven points from their initial three matches, yet the only team boasting a better record was today’s guests, Oulu, who surprised many with three wins from three.

KuPS entered the match eager to establish their dominance early and were rewarded just five minutes in, thanks to a slick combination that saw Saku Savolainen deliver a precise pass to Otto Ruoppi, who executed a clever backheel for Bob Armah to fire home.

Despite their promising start, the Kuopio team couldn’t capitalise on their early lead. Jaime Moreno, who had been in fine form, saw a series of attempts fail to trouble Miguel Santos in the Oulu goal, which would prove costly as the first half drew to a close.

After a couple of long-range efforts that narrowly missed, Oulu were handed a golden opportunity to level the score when Tuomas Kaukua was fouled inside the box by Savolainen, allowing Rasmus Karjalainen to convert the penalty and bring the scores level at half-time.

The second half, however, saw the home side respond quickly, regaining the lead within two minutes. Moreno showcased his talent yet again, needing only a deflection from an edge-of-the-box shot to bypass the keeper, marking his fourth goal in as many games.

In the 64th minute, it was Karjalainen who struck again, tapping in a cross from Julius Korkko that goalkeeper Johannes Kreidl couldn’t hold onto, bringing his tally for the season to four and drawing level with Moreno after netting a brace in their opening match.

Displaying his prowess with two assists already, Ruoppi sealed the match for KuPS with a solo effort, scoring without assistance with just 13 minutes remaining. Oulu were unable to respond, thus ending their perfect start to the season. KuPS now sit with 10 points after four matches, one point ahead of their rivals today.