SJK Seinäjoki claimed a 2-1 victory over IFK Mariehamn at OmaSP Stadion on Thursday evening in the Veikkausliiga's Relegation Group stage. The result keeps both sides in the lower half of the table as the season winds down, with the hosts moving slightly clear of their visitors.
Mariehamn took the lead in the 36th minute through Arvid Bergvik, a goal that gave them a real chance to control proceedings. To be fair, they created enough to feel they could see it out, but then the game shifted when Foster Gyamfi was sent off in the 80th minute after a second caution. By then SJK had already found their footing.
Kelwin Souza do Nascimento equalised in the 64th minute, and Aapo Boström sealed the win with a late strike in the 87th. The hosts never got out of second gear after the red card, and here's the thing — it wasn't about dominance, it was about making the most of the one moment that mattered.
SJK enjoyed 60 per cent possession and registered 105 attacks compared to Mariehamn's 79, though their shot accuracy was identical at 25 per cent. The visitors had more clearances and interceptions, but SJK's 11 key passes and 3 big chances created told a different story. Both sides took 3 shots on target, but the hosts' volume of play eventually told.
The result leaves SJK in 10th place on 19 points from 22 games, while Mariehamn remain 12th on 14 points with three wins and five draws. Neither side is comfortable, but the home side have opened a five-point gap that could prove decisive when the season closes.
We were backing the hosts at 59 per cent confidence before kick-off, and it was a call that held up. Not because SJK were overwhelming, but because they have a habit of finding a way back into matches they shouldn't win. This one was decided in the final quarter, and they made sure they were on the right side of it.
