TAMPERE, Finland (Interstat) — Ilves opened its Veikkausliiga campaign with a commanding 3-1 victory over Helsingin Pumpuu on Thursday at Tammelan Stadion, extending its recent dominance in the cross-city rivalry.

The home side responded emphatically after conceding a shock early goal, netting three unanswered scores to secure the three points and begin the Finnish top-flight season with a win.

Helsingin Pumpuu stunned the home crowd in just the fifth minute, with substitute Liam Möller finding the net to give the visitors an early advantage. The lead was short-lived, however, as Ilves defender Tatu Miettunen leveled the match in the 22nd minute.

Ilves carried the momentum into the second half, taking the lead for good in the 50th minute through a goal from forward Maksim Stjopin. The result was effectively sealed 15 minutes later when defender Matias Rale added a third goal for the hosts. Kevin Kouassivi-Benissan was credited with the assist on Möller’s opening goal for Helsingin Pumpuu.

The victory improves Ilves to one win and no losses in the Veikkausliiga, while Helsingin Pumpuu falls to no wins and one loss. Across all competitions this season, Ilves now stands at six wins, two losses and five draws. Helsingin Pumpuu’s overall record moves to 16 wins, 11 losses and six draws.

The match continued a trend of high-scoring affairs between the two clubs. In their previous meeting on Sept. 29, the teams played to a 2-2 draw. Before that, on April 5, Ilves secured a 3-2 win when Helsingin Pumpuu visited Tammelan Stadion.

The loss extends a difficult recent stretch for Helsingin Pumpuu in league play. The team is now winless in its last three Veikkausliiga matches, having drawn with Inter Turku 1-1 on Oct. 26 and lost to Seinajoen JK 4-3 on Oct. 22. Their last league victory was a 3-2 result over Kuopion Elo FC on Oct. 12.

Ilves, meanwhile, will look to build on the opening-day success after a mixed bag of results in its matches leading into the new season. The team fell 2-1 to Inter Turku on Oct. 19 and played to a 1-1 draw with Kuopion Elo FC on Oct. 16 prior to this victory.

The only disciplinary action of the match came in first-half stoppage time, when Helsingin Pumpuu’s Kevin Kouassivi-Benissan received a yellow card.

Helsingin Pumpuu will look to rebound in its next Veikkausliiga fixture, an away match against IF Gnistan on Monday, Nov. 3. The team will then host Kuopion Elo FC on Sunday, Nov. 9.

Ilves continues its season on Monday, Nov. 3, with a home match against Seinajoen JK. The following Sunday, Nov. 9, Ilves will travel to face Inter Turku.