Finland Veikkausliiga match report: Oulu produce major shock to beat HJK

Oulu stun HJK

Bottom-of-the-table Oulu caused a major shock as they beat previously unbeaten HJK 2-1 in the Finnish Veikkausliiga.

VOITTOOOOOOO!!!! MAHTAVAAA!!!

AC Oulu voitti HJK:n komeasti 2-1 yli kolmen tuhannen katsojan edessä! Kyllä maistuu!!#ACOulu#Oulu#Laivastonsiniset#Veikkausliiga#Pohjoistavoimaa pic.twitter.com/uTUisSkP0f

— AC Oulu (@ACOulu) July 17, 2021

It was bottom against top with not even the most ardent Oulu fan predicting a win.

But Jyrki Ahola’s side put in their best performance of the season to embarrass the champions.

The match

The hosts nearly went in front after six minutes when Niklas Jokelainen ran onto a threaded through-ball by Dennis Salanović but his shot was well-saved.

That should have served as a warning to HJK. Two minutes later, they were behind. Magnus Breitenmoser curling shot was clawed away but it fell to Salanovic, who sidefooted a volley into the empty net.

Oulu held out until the 73rd minute when Atomu Tanaka’s shot from just outside the box found the bottom corner after a slight deflection.

It looked like HJK were going to dominate and find a winner in the remaining minutes but, roared on by the home crowd, Oulu went ahead again two minutes later.

A cross from the left was only half-cleared and Lucky Opara was on hand to nod in from a few yards out.

The champions threw everything at Oulu in the last few minutes and should have equalised through Roope Riski, but his header from close range went wide of the post.

What does it mean?

HJK were beaten for the first time this season after winning their previous nine games. Oulu remain bottom but only on goal difference after winning their second game of the season.