Finland round-up: Haka take over at the top

FC Haka took over at the top of the Finnish Veikkausliiga with a 3-1 victory at home to KuPS Kuopio.

Slender advantage
The win, coupled with previous leaders HJK Helsinki's 2-0 defeat at Myllykosken Pallo-47, enabled Haka to climb one point clear at the head of the standings.

Early lead
Haka took the lead after seven minutes thanks to Lasse Karjalainen's first goal of the season, and Valeri Popovits doubled the lead from Mika Nenonen's pass seven minutes later. KuPS pulled a goal back midway through the first half, but Nenonen effectively sealed the home team's win with a third goal early in the second period.

Goals in either half
Meanwhile, at MyPa, former HJK player Luiz Antonio opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time, before Toni Huttunen secured all three points with the second goal on 65 minutes.

Allianssi into third
AC Allianssi moved third after a 3-0 win against FC Hämeenlinna, while Tampere United slipped off the pace after being held to a 1-1 draw at TPS Turku. FC Jokerit were 2-0 winners against FC Lahti.

South American success
FC Inter Turku's Argentinian striker Luciano Alvarez took his total number of league goals for the season to seven with two in his side's 6-0 win away to FF Jaro, making him the top scorer in the division. Meanwhile, another South American, Brazilian midfield player Marcello Piracaia, scored an 85th-minute winner as FC Jazz defeated FC KooTeePee 3-2.