---
title: "Super-sub Rõõmussaar hands Harju a win over Kalju"
date: 2026-10-10T13:32:58Z
lang: en
author: "Janis Vitols"
canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/super-sub-roomussaar-hands-harju-a-win-over-kalju/
categories: ["Premium liiga", "Premium liiga - match reports"]
---

# Super-sub Rõõmussaar hands Harju a win over Kalju
**Harju JK Laagri produced a remarkable defensive performance before snatching a dramatic 1-0 away victory over Nõmme Kalju, with substitute Kaspar Rõõmussaar scoring a deflected winner in the 88th minute to deal another blow to the hosts’ hopes of finishing in the Premium Liiga top three.**

The Estonian top flight returned following a three-week international break, with Kalju entering the fixture in fourth place, one point behind Paide Linnameeskond. With Paide facing a difficult encounter against FCI Levadia the following day, Kalju had an excellent opportunity to strengthen their position in the battle for European qualification. Harju, meanwhile, were looking to consolidate their position above the relegation places, holding a seven-point advantage over ninth place before kick-off.

Kalju left Estonia international Mattias Männilaan on the bench following his national team commitments, handing Ibrahim Jabir a starting opportunity instead. Harju, meanwhile, welcomed Daniil Rudenko back into their starting lineup.

The hosts immediately took control of proceedings and came agonisingly close to opening the scoring after just three and a half minutes. Oleksandr Musolitin produced a clever effort that beat Harju goalkeeper Jan Vainula but struck the post. The Ukrainian midfielder reacted quickest to the rebound, only for a defender to intervene before he could convert.

Kalju continued to dominate possession and create opportunities, with Musolitin repeatedly finding himself in dangerous positions. His next effort was blocked following a promising move down the right, while another attempt flew narrowly over the crossbar.

Despite spending much of the opening stages defending, Harju demonstrated that they could threaten on the counterattack. Their best early opportunity arrived in the 15th minute when Binate played a clever pass into the path of Reimaa, who found himself in an excellent position inside the penalty area. However, his first touch took the ball slightly too far, allowing Kalju goalkeeper Maksim Pavlov to rush off his line and intervene.

The visitors survived another dangerous spell midway through the first half. Jabir saw an effort from close range lose its power following a defensive deflection, while Vainula produced an outstanding save to deny Esono when he broke through on goal, although the offside flag was subsequently raised.

Kalju’s frustration continued to grow in the 24th minute when Ivanov unleashed a powerful effort that Vainula managed to tip onto the crossbar with his fingertips. The hosts had now struck the woodwork twice, with Harju’s goalkeeper proving increasingly difficult to beat.

Further opportunities followed, including a dangerous effort from Vukušić that went narrowly wide after a corner. Nevertheless, Harju held firm and reached the interval with the score still goalless.

Kalju continued to search for the breakthrough after the restart, but Harju remained disciplined defensively. The biggest opportunity of the second half arrived in the 61st minute when Kalju midfielder Siht found himself completely unmarked in front of goal. However, Vainula rushed off his line, made himself big and produced another exceptional save to keep Harju level.

Kalju introduced Männilaan shortly before that opportunity, hoping the international forward could provide the finishing touch that had been missing throughout the afternoon. Further attacking changes followed, with Mihhail Orlov and Tiago Baptista also entering the contest.

The hosts continued to push forward, but their attacking play became increasingly predictable as the match entered its final stages. Ivanov attempted a clever curling effort towards the far corner, forcing Vainula into action, although the ball eventually went wide. Harju responded immediately through Binate, whose effort was comfortably dealt with by Pavlov.

With the match seemingly heading towards a goalless draw, Harju delivered a stunning late blow in the 88th minute.

An attack appeared to be breaking down when the ball fell kindly to substitute Kaspar Rõõmussaar, who had entered the field just eight minutes earlier. His shot took a significant deflection, wrong-footing Pavlov, who had already moved in the opposite direction, before the ball nestled inside the post to give Harju an unexpected 1-0 lead.

The goal sparked frustration among the Kalju players, with Männilaan and Musolitin both receiving yellow cards during the closing stages. The hosts desperately searched for an equaliser, and Baptista almost rescued a point in stoppage time when he found space behind the Harju defence, but his effort flew narrowly wide of the far post.

Harju’s victory gives them some breathing room over Vaprus in the battle for sixth place, opening up a two-point advantage. Meanwhile, Kalju remain fourth following this defeat, with 50 points from 30 matches, one point behind Paide and six ahead of Tartu Tammeka.

**Nõmme Kalju 0-1 Harju JK Laagri**
Goal: Rõõmussaar 88′