Flora lose to Nõmme United despite early lead
In the 20th round of the Estonian football championship, Flora, playing with ten men for most of the match, lost 1-2 to Nõmme United. This is United's first ever victory over Flora.
The 20th round of the Estonian football championship kicked off with a surprise on Friday, July 17. At the A. Le Coq Arena, Flora, who played with a man down for the majority of the game, suffered a 1-2 defeat against Nõmme United. This marks United's first historical win over Flora.
Already in the 11th minute, Flora was reduced to ten men as goalkeeper Kaur Kivila was sent off. He was replaced by backup goalkeeper Egert Grüvald, who came on in place of midfielder Remo Valdmet.
Before halftime, United capitalized on the numerical advantage twice. In the 20th minute, Flora defender Oskar Pihela scored an own goal, and in first-half stoppage time, United's Japanese legionnaire Yosuke Morishige found the net. Both goals came from corners taken by Zakaria Beglaryshvili.
In the second half, despite being a man down, Flora dominated possession. Tony Varjund pulled one back in the 58th minute, but Konstantin Vasiliev's side could not find an equalizer.
Flora remains second with 36 points, ten behind leaders Levadia. United sits seventh with 25 points.
On Saturday, Narva Trans will host Pärnu Vaprus, while Sunday features matches between Kuressaare and Nõmme Kalju, and Harju and Paide. The Levadia vs. Tammeka match has been postponed as the capital club faces IFK Göteborg away in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League on Tuesday.
