Lahti edge past SJK in Veikkausliiga thriller
Lahti came from behind to beat SJK Seinäjoki 2-1 at home on Friday, a result that keeps them clear of the relegation zone while leaving their hosts rooted in tenth place. SJK had led until the final moments, but three goals in as many half-hours decided the match. The visitors never got out of second gear after José Müller's dismissal.
The turning point came early and often. Müller picked up two yellow cards in quick succession before being sent off in the thirty-second minute, leaving SJK to chase the game for over an hour. By then Lahti were already ahead, Gospel Chibueze Junior Onuoha having finished from a chance created in the forty-seventh minute. And here's the thing — SJK had fifty-seven per cent of possession but couldn't find a way through.
Lahti doubled their lead through Yohan Cassubie in the eightieth minute, but even then there was more drama to come. Kelvin Pires was shown a red card for the visitors in the eighty-first minute, and SJK sensed blood. Aaron Lindholm pulled one back in stoppage time, but it was too late — the stadium fell silent as Lahti held on.
The statistics tell a story of missed opportunities. SJK registered fourteen shots to Lahti's eight, with seven on target for both sides. They created two big chances compared to three for the visitors, but shots accuracy tells its own tale — forty-four per cent for SJK against twenty-five for Lahti. The result suggests chances went begging on both ends.
SJK remain on nineteen points after twenty-two games, their recent form showing only one win in five matches. Lahti sit seventh with thirty-two points, having won two of their last five. The gap between them widens to thirteen points, and by then the table goes out of the window in these games — what matters is whether either side can turn things around before the season closes.