Helmareit’s leaders on completely different lines after the Ireland disappointment – Natalia Kuikka is quiet about Finland’s results: “It’s not enough at the moment”

The Finnish women’s national football team’s dreams of next year’s World Cup came crashing down on Thursday evening when Ireland won their home match 1–0. Finland is third or fourth in its group, Ireland is definitely second and advances to the next qualification. Sweden is the winner of the group and has secured its place in next year’s World Cup.

Finland dominated the ball in the match, but was unable to shake Ireland’s tight defensive formation. Instead, Ireland counter-attacked and were particularly dangerous in special situations. Sports expert Mari Savolainen stated that “Finland tried to create scoring chances, Ireland created scoring chances”.

The only goal of the match came at the beginning of the second half from a harmless midfield free kick by Ireland. Finnish captain, goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela went against a long centering ball, but was the first to get it Lily Aggwho headed the ball into an empty goal.

Finland’s key players saw the events in interviews after the final whistle quite the opposite.

Finland’s star defender, representing the Portland Thorns in the North American NWSL Natalia Kuikka didn’t start to explain that the team has undergone a lot of changes both in coaching and in the players since the European Championships.

– We played with a slightly different grouping, but in the end it’s not up to them, it’s up to us players. We have to want to win and want to play better. It’s not enough for us to play at the moment. Ireland was clearly better today, said Kuikka.

The defense of their own penalty area, which had already been the crowning glory of Finland in the European Championship this summer, failed again fatally in the situation that led to Ireland’s goal. Kuikka was saddened that the match ended in a special situation again.

– It was known that Ireland is really tough in special situations and that you have to defend really well and avoid those situations. They were much tougher in the box and wanted to win the ball.

Even though Finland had the ball, the team was unable to find space between the Irish lines. Often the Helmars eventually settled for long balls from far out in the midfield, which were dealt with confidently by the Irish defence.

Kuikka said that there is a lot to do in terms of playing with balls for the upcoming qualifiers.

– The tempo of the ball must be faster. Can’t just stand with the ball. You have to be more on the move and get your own passes, it was quite a choppy game. Aggressiveness and tempo, and of course you have to be harder in that second box as well, to score goals.

According to goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela, Finland’s game was not so gloomy at all.

– Probably the best game of our qualifiers, now it wasn’t enough. It’s the little things that matter. We wouldn’t have done anything terrible even with a draw, of course we went for the win.

– You can’t help but be proud of this team. We did exactly the things that were agreed upon and really deserved more.

Korpela also commented on Ireland’s winning goal, where his counterattack was late.

– It was a good long ball. Somehow the marking failed us. I had to go for it, maybe I was a little late.

Korpela stated that the World Cup qualifying spot was the only goal and a big disappointment, but we must turn our eyes to the future.

– It was known that this is an incredibly tough block. The level around Europe is rising, but we are on the bandwagon. We played this game completely, but the goals are decisive.

All-time national team goalscorer by Linda Sällström thought the game was “really sticky”. Sällström had one place in the match, but Courtney Brosnan stretched out to tackle.

– It was really difficult, there were no facilities anywhere. All in all, a really frustrating game.

In next Tuesday’s match against Sweden, Finland no longer has a stake in the World Cup place. Ranking points can be important in future qualifiers, and in addition, more than 6,000 tickets have already been sold to Ratina.

– It’s a hollow feeling, but it’s our duty. We have great fans there. We must be able to pull ourselves together and play a good match then, Swedish head coach Marko Saloranta After the Ireland disappointment.

Finland will face Sweden in the final match of the qualifiers on Tuesday, September 6. In Tampere. Live broadcast on Teema channel and Areena from 18:45.