Ilves came out on top with a 2:0 win over IFK Mariehamn in the Veikkausliiga's nineteenth round of fixtures on Sunday. The hosts kept their side in it after a run of defeats and took all three points at home.
The opening goal came at the quarter-hour mark when T. Hytonen found the net. Mariehamn had pushed forward but the visitors were left flat-footed at the back. And here's the thing — the visitors had more possession but struggled to turn it into something clear.
A penalty changed the shape of the first half. J. Kanga stepped up and converted at 45+2 to extend the lead before the break. The incident went to review but the referee had no hesitation. By then Ilves had dug in and Mariehamn were searching for a way back.
Substitutions began in the second half as both managers looked to shift momentum. K. Wallius came on for Ilves at 46, while T. Jakobsen and J. Kanga were brought in later. Mariehamn responded with R. Monteiro at 77 and E. Patut at 90+3.
The numbers tell one story, the match told another. Ilves held 48 per cent of possession and registered four shots on target, while Mariehamn had 52 per cent possession and five shots on target. The visitors created more chances — 13 key passes against seven — but shots accuracy of 28 per cent meant they could not convert.
Ilves moved up with this result, sitting ninth with 25 points from 22 games. Mariehamn remain twelfth with 14 points after three wins, five draws and 14 defeats. The clean-sheet run came to an end for the visitors, and the history between them adds an edge to what was a straightforward afternoon.