Tartu Tammeka came from behind to defeat Harju JK Laagri 2-1 at home in the 18th round of the Premium Liiga, extending their impressive run of form while deepening Harju’s difficult spell.
A huge start was for the visitors as in the fourth minute, goalkeeper Jan Vainula launched a long ball forward from his own penalty area, and Daniil Rudenko ran in behind the Tammeka defence before finishing into the far corner. Vainula became only the second goalkeeper this season to register an assist.
Tammeka responded in the 17th minute. After a set-piece situation, a forward pass from Patrick Veelma found Pedro Manoel, who put the ball into the net. Harju appealed for offside, but the goal stood after replays failed to provide clear evidence to overturn the decision.
The match remained open and evenly balanced, with chances arriving from both sides. Harju threatened through Rudenko’s deliveries and counterattacks, while Tammeka looked dangerous when attacking quickly through Koskor, Kauan Pereira and Thomas Lisboa.
The decisive moment of the first half arrived in the 35th minute. Kauan Pereira delivered a sharp cut-back from the byline to Koskor, who laid the ball into the path of Pavel Marin. The winger struck first time from around 15 metres, giving Vainula no chance and putting Tammeka 2-1 ahead.
Harju finished the first half with pressure, but Tammeka defended their lead well. Veelma made several important interventions at the back, including one crucial clearance at the far post to deny Harju a clear chance.
The second half continued in a similar rhythm. Harju searched for an equaliser, while Tammeka created danger from set pieces and transitions. Koskor went close after turning away from his marker and shooting into the side netting from a tight angle, while Kauan Pereira attempted to surprise Vainula from long range.
Tammeka also applied pressure from corners, with Pedro Manoel twice getting on the end of deliveries, although neither header found the target.
Harju had opportunities of their own late on. Kriis turned smartly inside the Tammeka penalty area but saw his shot blocked, while Binate was denied by another decisive clearance from Veelma at the back post.
Despite Harju’s late pressure, Tammeka held firm through three minutes of added time to secure all three points.
The result continues the contrasting form of the two sides. Since beating Tammeka on 25 April, Harju have now lost eight of their last nine league matches. Tammeka, meanwhile, have won six of their last eight and strengthened their position in fifth place with 26 points from 17 matches.
Harju remain eighth with 19 points, just above the danger zone.
Tartu JK Tammeka vs Harju JK Laagri – 2-1 (2-1)
Goals: Pedro Manuel 16′, Marin 34′ | Rudenko 4′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  FCI Levadia |
19 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 49 | 16 | 33 | 46 |
| 2 |  FC Flora |
18 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 38 | 19 | 19 | 36 |
| 3 |  Nõmme Kalju |
19 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 16 | 17 | 34 |
| 4 |  Paide |
19 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 30 | 23 | 7 | 32 |
| 5 |  Tammeka |
17 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 20 | 21 | -1 | 26 |
| 6 |  Pärnu Vaprus |
18 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 22 | 34 | -12 | 23 |
| 7 |  Nõmme United |
18 | 6 | 1 | 11 | 34 | 43 | -9 | 19 |
| 8 |  Harju |
18 | 6 | 1 | 11 | 22 | 32 | -10 | 19 |
| 9 |  Kuressaare |
18 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 17 | 30 | -13 | 17 |
| 10 |  Narva Trans |
18 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 12 | 43 | -31 | 10 |
