All three goals in the EC qualifying match between Huuhkajie and Kazakhstan came from special situations. Whereas Huuhkajat has collected some undeserved points, now it was the other way around.
Huhkaji’s dreams of a direct European Championship place for next summer’s final tournament in Germany crumbled with a surprising home loss to Kazakhstan. Sports expert Miika Nuutinen recounted the events of the match freshly.
– The result is a complete shock. That’s the first thing in mind. A game like this should be won at home. The halves were quite different. Finland played the game really well, took control of the game and got scoring chances and special situations as a reward. Huuhkajat was also dangerous in his own corner kicks, says Nuutinen.
Huuhkajat also scored from a special situation. by Robert Taylor The free kick goal was Huuhkaji’s first from a direct free kick since 2017 and Alexander Ring hit against Iceland.
– Finland did deserve its lead. It is said that at the end of the first period, however, there were already signs that Huuhkaj did not have enough patience to hold on to control of the game so tightly. Losses of the ball began to follow the fast advances. However, the entrance to the second period was again very good, says Nuutinen.
Nuutinen described Kazakhstan’s opening game as special. Finland’s press play produced a few exploits that led to excellent goals to decide the game. Still, this didn’t turn out to be a complete 90 minutes either.
– Huuhkaji has been marked in these qualifiers by the fact that there haven’t been any complete 90-minute matches, where the rhythm of the game would be completely dictated against teams that are weaker in advance. The door was not completely open for the rise of Kazakhstan, but it was still ajar. The spot that came as a result of a lateral free kick was of course unlucky, but there were problems in special defensive situations already in the first period.
The winning goal also came from a special situation. Nuutinen gave credit to Kazakhstan for that.
– Special situations decided this game. Their importance in national team games cannot be underestimated. Cold shower at the end. It has to be said that the corner that led to the winning goal was a perfect ball and a perfect header from outside the best area. It was a super performance from Kazakhstan, says Nuutinen.
After the equalizing goal, Huuhkajat couldn’t find a new gear.
– Kazakhstan made the most of the moments that were given to them today, and the Huuhkajat were no longer able to take back control of a game that once got out of hand, Nuutinen sums up, even with the help of substitutions.
In light of the statistics, Huuhkajat has managed to grab more points in the current qualifiers, when the numbers in the game tell. Now it was the other way around.
– In the long run, these teams tend to equalize, this time Finland got less than one would expect with this performance.
Nuutinen also saw good things in Finland’s match plan. The line-up changes brought much-needed vibrancy to the attacking game, and especially the duo Taylor–Daniel Håkans was active on the left wing. In the second period, the duo played a goal position that could have practically decided the match, but Håkans’ finish was lame.
– Their dynamics in the direction of attack worked well. Taylor made insightful decisions that have been missing from Huhkajie’s game when Robin Lod has been sidelined. Håkans brought a completely different attacking threat from the wing-back position.
All in all, Tuesday’s match was one where Finland’s performance would usually have been enough to win.
– A disaster result, but not a disaster performance. A large part of the match was under Huuhkajie’s control, but a loosening of grip and a few dark moments took away the points. Of course, with better playing, there would be no room for luck and such a game would be patted in good time, Nuutinen sums up.