HJK’s Mixed Start Continues with Draw at KuPS Despite Borchers Impact

KuPS stay top after draw with HJK

HJK held 1-1 at KuPS and sit fifth on 7 points. Borchers scores after break but misses late chance. Ruoppi nets third of season for KuPS.

Otto Ruoppi heads KuPS ahead after 2 minutes before sub Mads Borchers bundles HJK level. Finnish giants draw 1-1 in Kuopio Veikkausliiga clash...

 

A goal early in each half saw Finland’s two most successful Veikkausliiga clubs of the past decade, KuPS and HJK, share a 1-1 draw in Kuopio.

Ruoppi Strikes Early Before Borchers Rescues HJK

KuPS entered the clash top on goals scored after winning the last two Veikkausliiga titles. The draw moves them a point clear of Inter Turku and keeps them unbeaten, though they’ve played a game more than most of the division.

 

The hosts made a flying start inside two minutes. HJK keeper Matej Markovic failed to deal with a cross from the right, and Jaime Moreno nodded it across for Otto Ruoppi to head home his third goal of the campaign.

HJK didn’t manage a shot on target in the first half, prompting head coach Joonas Rantanen to introduce Mads Borchers at the break. The move paid off instantly, as the Danish substitute leveled the score within two minutes of coming on.

It wasn’t a pretty finish. Toivo Mero drilled a low ball across the KuPS box and Borchers was on hand at the back post to bundle it over the line.

 

HJK aloittaa toisen puoliajan vahvasti🙌🏻#tältätuntuu #veikkausliiga pic.twitter.com/5PfTWzmN9z

— Veikkausliiga (@Veikkausliiga) April 26, 2026

Borchers had a golden chance to win it inside the final 10 minutes when sent clean through on goal, but despite having time to pick his spot, he was denied by a superb save from Johannes Kreidl.

The draw extends HJK’s inconsistent start to the season. They sit fifth on seven points, failing to back up last week’s 3-0 derby win over Gnistan.