Kuressaare and Vaprus shared the points in a 2-2 draw in the Premium Liiga after a dramatic match that saw two VAR-awarded penalties, several big saves and a late equaliser from the visitors.
Kuressaare started with the same line-up as in their previous match against Tammeka, while Vaprus made three changes compared to the defeat against Flora, with Mathias Villota, Siim Aer and Markkus Seppik coming into the starting XI.
The hosts began brightly, but Vaprus slowly grew into the match and struck first in the 26th minute. Sten Viidas produced excellent work on the flank before delivering a superb cross into the penalty area, where Sander Kapper arrived at full speed and fired the ball into the top corner.
Kuressaare were handed a way back just before half-time. After a VAR review, referee awarded a penalty for a handball in the wall, with Viidas judged to have blocked the ball with his arm inside the box. Evgeni Demidov stepped up and calmly converted down the middle to send the teams into the break level at 1-1.
VAR was involved again almost immediately after the restart. This time, Vaprus defender Kevin Aloe was penalised for handball, and Kuressaare received their second penalty of the match. 17-year-old Aston Visse made no mistake, beating Ott Nõmm with a precise strike to put the home side 2-1 ahead.
Kuressaare then had chances to extend their lead, especially on the counter-attack. Taavi Jürisoo forced Nõmm into a strong save with a shot heading towards the top corner, while substitute Andero Kivi twice got into dangerous positions but was denied by the Vaprus goalkeeper.
Those saves kept Vaprus alive, and the visitors punished Kuressaare in the 74th minute. After a corner was only half-cleared, Henri Välja delivered another ball into the box and Matthias Limberg directed his header into the net to make it 2-2.
The final stages were tense, with Kuressaare looking slightly more dangerous but unable to find a winner. Vaprus held firm defensively, while another late VAR check brought no change to the decision on the field.
The draw leaves both sides with a point in a match that could have been vital in the lower half of the Premium Liiga table. Vaprus with 28 points after 24 matches are seventh in the league table, while Kurressaare with three points less are ninth.
Kuressaare next match is very important as they host on September 5 last place Narva Trans, who are eight points behind Kuressaare, while Vaprus turn their attention to Estonian Cup with them travelling to Nõmme United on Tuesday.
FC Kuressaare vs Pärnu JK Vaprus – 2-2 (1-1)
Goals: Demidov 45+1′ (Penalty kick), Visse 51′ (Penalty kick) | Kapper 24′, Limberg 74′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  FCI Levadia |
23 | 17 | 5 | 1 | 61 | 18 | 43 | 56 |
| 2 |  Nõmme Kalju |
24 | 13 | 5 | 6 | 43 | 19 | 24 | 44 |
| 3 |  FC Flora |
23 | 14 | 0 | 9 | 45 | 28 | 17 | 42 |
| 4 |  Paide |
23 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 38 | 30 | 8 | 39 |
| 5 |  Tammeka |
22 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 27 | 32 | -5 | 35 |
| 6 |  Harju |
25 | 10 | 1 | 14 | 36 | 41 | -5 | 31 |
| 7 |  Pärnu Vaprus |
24 | 8 | 4 | 12 | 33 | 46 | -13 | 28 |
| 8 |  Kuressaare |
25 | 7 | 4 | 14 | 27 | 41 | -14 | 25 |
| 9 |  Nõmme United |
25 | 8 | 1 | 16 | 42 | 60 | -18 | 25 |
| 10 |  Narva Trans |
24 | 5 | 2 | 17 | 18 | 55 | -37 | 17 |
