Finland round-up: Haka surprise HJK as champions are beaten

HJK Helsinki failed to break their eight-year hoodoo at FC Haka's Tetaankenttä ground today, as they crashed to a 2-1 defeat on the opening day of the Finnish first division season.

Armstrong disappointed
Ville Vaisanen and Peter Kovacs put Haka in control, before second-half substitute Hannu Haarala pulled one back for HJK, eleven minutes from time. But Keith Armstrong's return to his former club ended in defeat as HJK were unable to find the equaliser.

'An outstanding game'
"We had enough scoring opportunities to win but Haka's young goalkeeper Mikko Vilmunen played an outstanding game," HJK coach Armstrong said after the game. "In the first-half we were the underdogs, but by the end of the game we were the dominant side in my opinion. For an opener this was entertaining football. I believe the spectators got their money's worth."

Champions held
Last year's champions Tampere United FC were held to a 1-1 draw by VPS Vaasa. Noah Hickey put Tampere in front after 20 minutes, but a Tomi Sauso header early in the second half levelled the scores.

Broken dream
Veikkausliiga newcomers FC Hämeenlinna were denied a spectacular debut as they lost 2-1 to AC Allianssi. Teemu Haaja had given the visitors the lead after 18 minutes, but late goals from John Weckström and Zoltan Czipo denied Hämenlinna a winning start.

Other results
FC Inter Turku swept aside FC Lahti 3-0, while FF Jaro overcame FC Jazz 1-0. Myllykosken Pallo-47 beat KuPS Kuopio 2-0 in the day's other game.