The Finnish men’s national football team lost to Ireland 1-2 at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium in the Nations League on Thursday.
After the game, the cheerleaders were greeted and also shown a shoe, which was most likely a reference to the head coach Markku Kanervan fired.
Supporters are disappointed with the group led by Kanerva, 60, who have had a difficult year.
The most recent victory is from a friendly match against Estonia in March. After this, the team has scraped together one draw (Scotland game) and won four times. The opponents have indeed been great football powerhouses at their best, such as England and Portugal.
However, the Irish defeat sums up the Huuhkajie’s current difficult situation as a whole. Finland is now in the jumbo position of its own group. Huhkaji are threatened with relegation to the C League of the Nations League, where the weakest in the group will be relegated.
“Huuhkajat is only as strong as its weakest link”
Having coached the Finnish A national team in 2011–2015 Mixu Paatelainen57, says a team is only as strong as its weakest link.
– It’s a real shame that this happened. Ireland was definitely toppled. Many new and young players have joined Huuhkaj. Injuries have not been avoided either.
Perhaps the Finnish gambler in the best mood at Eurokent Karinen too25, had to sit out October’s national matches with an adductor muscle injury.
Finland had more than half as many scoring attempts against Ireland (7-15). Ireland also took the shots (3-10).
Paatelainen, who currently works as an analyst for European football association Uefa in Euro matches and prestigious competitions, admits that the national team has its problems.
– There are problems especially in defense and midfield. It takes time for new players to get used to the way of playing.
Although Finland has one of the best goalkeepers in the world – representing Leverkusen Lukas Hradeckythe team has still been in bad trouble at times.
Difficulties should motivate
Head coach Markku Kanerva signed an extension contract with Huuhkajie in the summer, which extends until the World Cup tournament in 2026. Kanerva has been the Huuhkajie’s head coach continuously since December 2016.
At her best, Kanerva led Finland to its first European Championships in 2021.
– We have set the bar so high that a lot is expected of us and that we would beat teams of Ireland’s level, Kanerva said after Thursday’s loss to Ireland.
– If you look at the team, many strong players have retired from it. Change is inevitable. We are talking about a small country and the material from which the team is assembled. When new players are brought into the team, it doesn’t always go as planned. We have to work hard to get the pieces back in place and for Finland to win, says Paatelainen.
– Rive has done a great job at the helm of the Huuhkajie, as evidenced by his excellent achievements. It’s just moving forward and developing, so to speak.
Paatelainen is hopeful about the future.
– We certainly have a long future on international courts and in the A national team. However, it’s a real shame that at the moment things are stalling. It’s a big challenge, and specifically a big challenge.
“A coach must be self-critical”
Paatelainen, who last coached at HIFK in the 2022 season, says that a coach must be honest with himself and look in the mirror when criticism comes.
– Whether it went well or badly, it’s good to also be self-critical and see if you may have made mistakes.
– And there are always mistakes when decisions are made. Someone wise once said that when you stop making decisions, you stop making mistakes.
According to Paatelainen, the Huuhkajie’s difficult situation should motivate the head coach.
– Under no circumstances should Kanerva stick his head in the bush, and “Rive” will not do that either.
As head coach, Kanerva handles things realistically.
– He takes the matter to the table and looks at where the weak points in playing are that need to be developed.
Does it make sense for the national team to keep Kanerva until the end of his contract?
– This is not my decision, and my opinion on this matter means nothing, Paatelainen emphasizes.
Kanerva’s contract extends until the World Cup tournament in 2026. Former Huuhkaja coach Paatelainen trusts “Rive” in the future as well.
– I want to say that we currently have a coach who has great displays behind him. He can make the team play winning football. There will be bad moments.