AC Oulu Surges to the Top of Veikkausliiga by Halting KuPS’ Unbeaten Streak
In a gripping encounter that demonstrated their resilience, AC Oulu continues to thrive in the 2026 Veikkausliiga season, securing a vital 2-0 victory over the reigning champions, KuPS, who finished the match with just ten players. The victory marks a significant rebound for Oulu, who had previously suffered a setback against Lahti.
The match started explosively for Oulu, as they capitalized on a defensive blunder from KuPS just four minutes into the game. A critical miscommunication between goalkeeper Johannes Kreidl and defender Kasim Adams led to Rasmus Karjalainen seizing the opportunity. Karjalainen struck a remarkable 35-yard volley that sailed over Kreidl, rocketing into an unguarded net and giving Oulu a swift lead.
As the game progressed, Oulu maintained their pressure, and their efforts were rewarded with a second goal 19 minutes before the final whistle. Lamine Ghezali showcased his determination by reclaiming the ball after his initial through ball was obstructed, driving into KuPS’ penalty area and finishing expertly from a challenging angle, further solidifying Oulu’s dominance.
In the closing minutes of the match, KuPS was dealt a further blow when Bob Armah received a red card for a second yellow card foul, underscoring the frustration of a challenging afternoon for the Kuopio side. This defeat marks KuPS’ third match without a win, placing them third in the league standings with only one victory in their last four outings.
Jaro and TPS Share Points in Thrilling Draw
Saturday also saw another exciting matchup as newly-promoted TPS managed to secure a last-gasp equalizer against Jaro, resulting in a draw that keeps both teams competitive in the league. TPS remains unbeaten, now standing as one of only two teams yet to lose this season.
The action unfolded in the 32nd minute when Jaro’s Mats Pedersen orchestrated a well-timed pass to Herman Sjogrell, who skillfully found the back of the net to give Jaro a 1-0 lead. However, the advantage was short-lived as TPS equalized just before halftime, courtesy of Albijon Muzaci who capitalized on a flick-on from Matej Hradecky’s corner.
The second half saw Sjogrell converting a penalty to give Jaro the lead once again. Yet, TPS proved their mettle, responding in kind as the match wound down. They equalized once more with a well-placed header by Theodoros Tsirigotis, allowing TPS to remain within striking distance of the league leaders, while Jaro finds themselves still in the hunt for their first victory.
VPS Continues to Climb with Narrow Win Over Mariehamn
Meanwhile, VPS took advantage of their opportunity to ascend towards the upper half of the standings, claiming a narrow 1-0 victory over Mariehamn, who continue to struggle this season. The only goal came midway through the first half, when Paulo Lima slotted the ball home after a defensive lapse from the home side.
Mariehamn’s disappointing performance sees them languishing at the bottom of the league table with only two points to their name, having failed to secure a win thus far.
SJK and Ilves Settle for a Draw in a Hard-Fought Match
In a tense showdown in Seinajoki, SJK and Ilves battled to a 1-1 stalemate. Ilves opened the scoring almost immediately with Maksim Stjopin netting a goal just 52 seconds into the match. Despite holding onto their lead for the majority of the match, Ilves were unable to secure the win as Jeremiah Streng equalized for SJK in injury time, capping off an exhilarating afternoon for both sides.
This result keeps SJK’s hopes alive with two draws in succession, while Ilves remains focused on finding their first win of the season. Each team struggles to find consistency as the competition in the Veikkausliiga intensifies.
Follow all the developments of the 2026 Veikkausliiga season exclusively on Flashscore.
