Defender Arttu Hoskonen stunned expert Miika Nuutinen with his blocks. Joel Pohjanpalo, who was in top form in the club team, got to play in the national team as well.
The Finnish men’s national football team beat Slovenia, one of their main opponents in the European Championship qualifiers, at the Olympic Stadium on Friday. In Finland’s 2–0 victory, the goals were scored Joel Pohjanpalo and Oliver Antman.
Sports expert Miika Nuutinen pick up three important points from the match.
1) A big, big draw
If Finland has ever had challenges in defending boxing, on Friday night the Huuhkajat played with self-sacrifice.
– This was a big zero game. Slovenia didn’t get much behind the Finnish defense line, so the defense of the rear was successful, especially on the right side. When Finland has been talking about the challenges of defending the box and in the recent past maybe a few easy goals have been conceded, today Slovenia’s attempts to finish were managed to be disrupted and blocked enough to keep the scoreless score, Nuutinen commented.
He singles out a defender as one example of self-sacrificing playing Arttu Hoskonenwho played his first competitive match in Huuhkaj.
– Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky in addition to saves, Hoskonen’s contribution must be increased. He blocked two dangerous shots in a row in the most difficult moment of the first half.
More than 32,500 people cheered Huuhkaji loudly throughout the match at the sold-out Olympic Stadium.
– The most extreme defensive performances are those where you can get the last percent of energy from the atmosphere and the support of the audience. This was a great night for Finnish football.
2) The successes of the offensive end players
One of the successful ones was undoubtedly the one who scored the Huuhkajie’s opening goal Joel Pohjanpalo. The fiery striker scored 19 goals in the Italian Serie B, which entitled him to second place in the league’s goalscoring list.
In the national team, however, Pohjanpalo has often remained in the role of substitute player. Against Slovenia, Pohjanpalo started and thanked for the trust by scoring the opening goal in the 13th minute.
– Pohjanpalo is in good shape and it is important for Finland that he had great success in the national team jersey as well. The goal was a model example of Pohjanpalo’s top-level boxing; with a small movement to break away from opponents and a high-quality one-touch shot. Teemu Pukilla it has been a more difficult season, but despite that, Finland has a striker on fire again, Nuutinen commented.
Also scored a 2–0 hit Oliver Antman gets praise from an expert. Nuutinen emphasizes the importance of Antman, especially when Robin Lod is injured.
Pukki didn’t manage to score on Friday, but he scored both hits and created scoring opportunities.
– It’s been a while since Puki’s last game and in the second half the fatigue was visible. Despite that, Puki’s contribution was again significant for Finland and the entire attacking trio was dangerous whenever they got close to the opponent’s goal.
3) Second half and successful substitutions
Nuutinen considers Finland’s second half as a balanced performance. Slovenia was kept out of the most dangerous places.
– It reminded me of the drugs with which Finland once managed to claim a place in the European Championships, Nuutinen sums up.
– Finland was able to stay in the block for long periods of time without it looking like survival. When the game was still open, so to speak, Huuhkajat took a few, important possessions in the middle area and was able to attack.
Nuutinen also counts Finland’s exchanges as successes.
– Even though there were some forced substitutions, such as by Rasmus Schüller and taking Puki away, every substitute filled their place and even managed to bring something more to the game.
As one example of a successful substitute, Nuutinen brings up Matti Peltolanwhich replaced by Richard Jensen.
– In my opinion, he improved the defense of Finland’s left side. On the other hand again Glen Kamara was able to come and take those few Kamara moments, which allowed the team to breathe again.
The Finnish men’s national football team will next face San Marino on Monday, June 19. Broadcast on TV2 and Areena from 18:15.