Rommi Siht’s late header lifts Nõmme Kalju past Harju

The 17th round of the Estonian Premium Liiga wrapped up at Hiiu Stadium, where Nõmme Kalju edged out Harju JK Laagri 1–0 thanks to a late goal from midfielder Rommi Siht, scored just ten minutes before the final whistle.

Kalju made two changes to their starting XI from the previous match—Danyl Mashchenko and Nikita Ivanov started on the bench, while Kristjan Kask and Oleksandr Musolitin took their places. Harju, on the other hand, made a single tweak, bringing in Ussa for Marten Kelement. It marked just the second starting appearance of the season for Ussa, who had returned from injury recently and featured off the bench in the last four matches.

The first half was a physical but uninspired affair. Early on, Kalju’s Tambedou caught Piht in the face during an aerial challenge, which sparked loud protests from both benches but no disciplinary action. Kalju created the more promising moments—Guilherme forced a fingertip save from Baturins, while Harju’s only response came from Eerme, who fired high and wide.

Harju registered their first shot on target right at the 30-minute mark through a long-range effort from Jose Ribeiro, but Pavlov was unfazed in goal. At halftime, the goalless scoreline accurately reflected a tense but low-tempo game.

The second half began with both managers sticking to their initial lineups, though Kalju fans may have expected a tactical shift. Danger finally arrived when Harju’s Ussa made a costly back pass, gifting the ball to Guilherme in the box. His quick shot was blocked by Laur and Baturins, resulting in a corner—but again, nothing came of it.

Kalju continued to threaten. A long-range strike from Tambedou forced Baturins into a save, but Rommi Siht couldn’t capitalize on the rebound. Kask also tested the Harju keeper from a tight angle in the 66th minute, prompting another corner, which led to a flurry of set pieces. Between the 70th and 75th minute, Kalju earned four corners in quick succession, but none resulted in a goal.

Then came the breakthrough.

In the 80th minute, Tarassenkov whipped in a cross from the left wing, and Rommi Siht rose high to head the ball past Baturins—finally rewarding Kalju’s persistent pressure. It was a straightforward finish, but a crucial one.

Kalju almost doubled their lead shortly after, but Baturins stood tall once again. Harju, who had barely threatened all game, earned their first corner in the 94th minute, even sending Baturins into the box. But the floated delivery ended safely in Pavlov’s gloves, the match resumed with no changes to the decision—and Kalju held firm to take all three points.

Nomme Kalju FC vs Harju JK Laagri – 1:0 (0:0)
Goals: Siht 80′
NOM: Pavlov, Korre, Podholjuzin, Tambedou, Siht, Musolitin (Liit 90+4′), Kask, Marin (Orlov 67′), Patrikejevs, Tarassenkov, Guilherme Smith
HAR: Baturins, Jarve, Kaevats, Laur, Roomussaar (Kelement 71′), Ussa, Rudenko, Ribeiro (Sikk 90+2′), Antonov (Suppi 88′), Piht (Ennuste 90+2′), Eerme

Premium Liiga Matchday 17 games:

• 17.06.2025 – FC Kuressaare vs Tartu JK Tammeka – 2:3
• 18.06.2025 – JK Narva Trans vs FC Flora Tallinn – 1:2
• 18.06.2025 – FCI Levadia vs JK Tallinna Kalev – 4:0
• 18.06.2025 – Parnu JK Vaprus vs Paide Linnameeskond – 1:2
• 18.06.2025 – Nomme Kalju FC vs Harju JK Laagri – 1:0