Flora Tallinn came from behind to claim a hard-earned 2-1 away victory over Pärnu JK Vaprus in the 16th round of the Premium Liiga, with Oscar Pihela scoring the first goal of his top-flight career to decide the match.
Vaprus started with confidence and gave Flora an early warning by finding spaces between the lines. Flora had chances of their own, with Sergei Zenjov heading narrowly over and Sander Alamaa forcing a strong save from young Vaprus goalkeeper Ott Nõmm.
Despite Flora’s growing pressure, it was Vaprus who struck first in the 20th minute. Kevin Aloe delivered a high cross from the left, Evert Grünvald could only get fingertips to the ball, and Joosep Põder was left unmarked at the back post to head into an empty net.
Flora responded before halftime. In the 34th minute, Henri Välja was penalised for handball just outside the penalty area, giving Vladislav Kreida a dangerous free kick. The midfielder curled his effort past Nõmm to make it 1-1.
The visitors continued to threaten from set pieces and corners, earning nine corners in the first half alone. Just before the break, Rauno Sappinen had a good chance from close range, but Nõmm produced another important save.
The second half was physical and eventful. Flora thought they had taken the lead in the 57th minute after a scramble inside the Vaprus penalty area, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review and Tony Varjund was instead shown a yellow card.
Flora kept pushing and hit the woodwork again in the 72nd minute when Remo Valdmets headed against the post after good work from Zenjov. Vaprus also had their moments, with Matthias Limberg missing a promising chance after a quick attack down the right.
The decisive goal finally arrived in the 77th minute. Kreida delivered Flora’s tenth corner of the match, Sappinen caused problems at the near post, and the loose ball dropped to Pihela. The defender struck first time, and although Nõmm got hands to the shot, he could not keep it out.
Vaprus pushed late and looked for an equaliser through long throws and crosses, but Flora defended well during seven minutes of added time to secure the win.
Flora thanks to this win more up to the second place in the league table, nine points behind leaders Levadia. Meanwhile Vaprus remain fifth with 20 points.
Pärnu JK Vaprus vs Flora Tallinn – 1-2 (1-1)
Goals: Poder 20′ | Kreida 34′, Pihela 77′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  FCI Levadia |
16 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 44 | 12 | 32 | 42 |
| 2 |  FC Flora |
15 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 32 | 16 | 16 | 30 |
| 3 |  Nõmme Kalju |
16 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 28 | 13 | 15 | 29 |
| 4 |  Paide |
16 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 24 | 20 | 4 | 25 |
| 5 |  Tammeka |
15 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 17 | 20 | -3 | 20 |
| 6 |  Pärnu Vaprus |
16 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 20 | 31 | -11 | 20 |
| 7 |  Harju |
16 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 20 | 27 | -7 | 19 |
| 8 |  Kuressaare |
16 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 17 | 26 | -9 | 17 |
| 9 |  Nõmme United |
16 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 30 | 39 | -9 | 16 |
| 10 |  Narva Trans |
16 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 11 | 39 | -28 | 10 |
