Inter Turku Turnaround at Ratina Seals Crucial Victory
Inter Turku completed a remarkable reversal at Ratina Stadium on Sunday, coming from two goals down to defeat Oulu 3:2 in Veikkausliiga matchday 20. The result tightens the pressure on the hosts, who remain fifth with 34 points, while Inter Turku consolidate second place with 42 points. By then, the visitors had already demonstrated their resilience — something they've shown all season long.
Oulu started brightly enough, with Rasmus Karjalainen firing twice in quick succession. The striker found the net in the 30th minute and again six minutes later, putting the home side ahead before half-time. Inter Turku's manager made two changes at the break, bringing on Iiro Järvinen and Ilari Kangasniemi, and the visitors responded immediately. Alie Conteh pulled one back in the 53rd minute, and within minutes he was level — his second goal came in the 61st minute to complete the turnaround.
And here's the thing about this match: Inter Turku didn't dominate possession but they dominated impact. They created four big chances just like Oulu, but their efficiency told. Conteh's brace was matched by Prosper Ahiabu, who added a late goal in the 84th minute to seal the victory. Oulu's goalkeeper made zero saves all match — a statistic that speaks volumes about how Inter Turku controlled the decisive moments.
To be fair, the numbers don't tell the full story. Inter Turku held 61 per cent possession and launched 109 attacks compared to Oulu's 69, but shots on target were even at three apiece. The visitors won 20 aerial duels to 15, completed more long passes, and made more passes into the final third. Oulu committed 18 fouls to 11, perhaps reflecting frustration as the game slipped away.
The result means Inter Turku now sit eight points clear of the hosts with five games remaining. Oulu have not won since their 1:0 victory over Ilves on August 2nd, and this defeat extends that winless run to four matches. Inter Turku, meanwhile, remain unbeaten in their last three league outings — two draws and a win — and have only lost twice all season.