Haka and Honka tied the scores in a physical match.
Jerry Voutilais is likely to have a long break from games. Matti Raivio/AOP
In the only Veikkausliiga match on Monday evening, Valkeakoski’s Haka and Espoo’s Honka played a 1–1 draw. The full point pot was still in the final stage for the Tehtaankenttu host, but at the end Honka scored the equalizer.
The opening goal of the match came from a cross from the corner flag. Ryan Mahuta sent a curling ball to the back post where Eero-Matti Auvinen was completely free to wait. Honga had difficulties with the header, as Auvinen later came close to making the next hit from a corner kick.
Today, one goal was not enough for victory, as Honka equalized the match from the spot in the 90th minute. Kevin Janssen definitely finished off a tough shot that was ruled out by Haka’s tall-haired defender Fallou Ndiayen for a careless trick.
Ndiaye defended in the box Ville Koska and would slap him in the face with a hard blow. Koski fell to the ground, but when the whistle was not immediately blown, he complained to the referee with a bloody mouth and received a yellow card.
Video referees are not used in the Veikkausliiga, so the referee, who was looking elsewhere, went to ask the assistant who flagged the flag in the middle area for a comment. The assistant saw the strike and the ball was placed on the point.
There was not enough time on the game clock for the next goal, so the game ended 1–1.
In addition to the successful setback, Honga’s night got worse Jerry Voutilainen from what appeared to be a severe injury before halftime. The engine of the midfield, playing in his fourth season with Espoo, tried to cover Haka by Logan Rogerson bet and put his foot in the attacker’s path with painful consequences.
Rogerson hit Voutlais above the ankle with great force. Voutilainen stayed on the surface of the grass holding his leg and could not get up again under his own power.
Honga’s man was finally carried away on a stretcher. The ambulance came to pick up the man with his face covered after halftime. From Voutilainen’s reactions, you could conclude that a long break from matches is coming.
Honga’s season continues on Saturday in Vaasa and Hakan in Helsinki.