Viimsi edge past Maardu despite early setback
Viimsi claimed a 2:1 victory over Maardu in the Esiliiga A's 22nd round on Saturday. The hosts took an early lead, but the away side recovered after a penalty and a second red card changed the complexion of the game. By then, the visitors had already established their position near the top of the table.
And here's the thing — Maardu's opening goal came in the 21st minute when S. Tsombaljuk found the net. It was a moment that caught Viimsi off guard, especially since the hosts had been pressing forward with purpose. To be fair, the visitors weren't without their chances, but the break was a blow.
The equaliser arrived quickly. In the 27th minute, M. Vaherna converted a penalty for Viimsi. That changed the momentum entirely. The away side began to control the tempo, and Maardu's defensive shape started to crumble under the pressure.
Then came the turning point. R. Laidvee was sent off in the 50th minute, reducing Maardu to ten men. By then, Viimsi had already seized the initiative. The away side worked a short corner to win their second goal in the 54th minute, also through Vaherna. The game was effectively over.
The statistics tell their own story. Viimsi dominated possession at 55 per cent and registered 264 attacks compared to Maardu's 192. The hosts managed only 45 per cent of the ball and could only muster five shots on target from 14 attempts. The away side was more clinical, converting two of their six shots on target.
What this result means for the standings is significant. Viimsi remain second with 47 points after 27 games, while Maardu sit fifth on 41 points. The visitors extended their gap over the hosts to six points, and the league table is beginning to take shape.