5-star second half returns Klubi to summit

HJK returned to winning ways at Sonera Stadium on Wednesday evening, producing a rampant second half performance to down FC Ilves by a 5-1 scoreline and return to the peak of the Veikkausliiga table.

Ilves gave the home fans a nervous opening half with a well organised performance. The Tampere-based club capped off their disciplined opening half with the opening goal of the match courtesy of Tuure Siira's calm finish.

Club legend Mikael Forssell got the ball rolling for HJK in the second half. The 35-year old marked his first start of the campaign with a quickfire brace shortly after the restart to turn the match on its head.

Mikael Forssell celebrates the equaliser. Image by Mika Vauhkonen (gallery link)

The hosts then ran away with the match with goals to Odu, debutant Sebastian Dahlström, and captain Ville Jalasto turning a tense battle into a comfortable victory.

Klubi went into the clash without a win in their previous two matches, which included a scoreless draw in Åland against IFK Mariehamn followed by a shock 1-0 loss to mid-table PS Kemi.

The latter result was fought out on an atrocious pitch in Oulu; PS Kemi's temporary base while their stadium renovations conclude over the coming month over 100km north in Kemi in south-western Lapland by the Swedish border. A goal in the opening minute condemned the visitors to their first loss of the season, allowing IFK Mariehamn to knock HJK from their perch with a 1-0 win against today's opponents Ilves.

Ilves were however not to be underestimated having defeated both KuPS and SJK in the earlier fixtures of a slender opening schedule which had seen them play just three matches in comparison to HJK's six.

Summer vibes were in the air going into the match as clear skies and 19 degree Celsius temperatures drew 6,081 supporters to Töölö's Sonera Stadium.

Klubi had shuffled their deck for today's starting line-up, with Forssell featuring in the first eleven for the first time this season along with 19-year old Dahlström who made an impressive debut.

They were again slow out of the blocks, as they have been in recent weeks, as an organised Ilves kept the hosts at a distance while threatening from set pieces in the opening exchanges.

Tuure Siire celebrates his opening goal.
Image by Mika Vauhkonen (image gallery)

The visitors grabbed a hard earned lead to take into the interval when Ghanaian midfielder Reuben Ayarna threaded an inch perfect pass from the left flank to the edge of the 18-yard box for Siira to slot home to opening goal on the half hour mark.

An inspirational half-time team was needed and HJK manager Mika Lekhasuo delivered as his side returned rejuvenated for the second half with new-found ruthlessness in front of goal as they netted five goals in a period of twenty second-half minutes.

They were level soon after the restart when Odu capped off an amazing solo run with a brilliant cross for Forssell who nodded home the equaliser with the simplest of headers for his first goal of the season.

Forssell was handed the chance for his second from the penalty spot before the hour mark after Felipe Aspegren felled Dahlström in the box to cap off a period of sloppy defensive work from Ilves. The Finnish international made no mistake, sending the keeper one way with a stuttered run-up before tucking the ball into the open half of the goal.

It was to be Forssell's last involvement as he left the field to a standing ovation for substitute Nikolai Alho to enter the fray for the final half hour.

Ilves looked deflated and HJK took full advantage as they proceeded to quickly run away with the match.

After the visitor's coughed up possession to Medo in their own half, HJK quickly countered through Alfredo Morelos and Atom. The Japanese midfielder's final pass took a fortunate deflection off Heikki Aho to send Odu through one-on-one with the keeper. The chance was so clear that Morelos could have nicked the goal himself, however he unselfishly left the ball for Odu to tuck the ball inside the near post.

Minutes later Klubi had their fourth. Atom broke down the left and crossed for Morelos who was again unselfish, casually teeing up Dahlström on the edge of the box. The teenager capped off his debut with a side footed finish to draw wild celebrations from the crowd who could barely believe the turnaround they were witnessing.

HJK were not done there. Moments after bringing on substitute Richard Gadze for his debut they wrapped up an impressive win with a short corner routine. Alho played a sharp one-two with Odu before whipping a curved ball into the 6-yard box for Jalasto who tucked the ball past a hapless Mika Halander in the Ilves goal to seal an impressive victory.

Rexhepi was dismissed late on.
Image by Mika Vauhkonen (image gallery)

The only blemish to the host's second half came with the late dismissal of Lux Rexhepi. The Finnish-born Kosovo international showed too many studs to Lauri Ala-Myllymäki in a reckless and unnecessary tackle to earn himself a marginally early shower.

The late red card did little to dampen the spirits of the home fans as they kept the atmosphere up until the final whistle before celebrating the tremendous result with the players who as usual showed their appreciation to Klubipääty at full-time.

In other results IFK Mariehamn's scoreless draw with PK-35 Vantaa allowed HJK to take top spot on goal difference. Elsewhere the remaining home sides were victorious as KuPS defeated PS Kemi 2-0 while VPS downed HIFK 3-1 in Kuopio and Vaasa respectively.