Finland’s head coach Markku Kanerva was satisfied with his team’s game after the 4–0 victory. Efficiency and defense pleased the eye of an experienced coach.
Pertti Lappalainen,
Sami Laine
The head coach of Huahkaji Markku Kanerva thanked his team after ending a three-match losing streak at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium. After a convincing performance, Finland beat Northern Ireland 4–0.
– We succeeded in scoring and defending. All in all, the match was well under control, Kanerva summed up in an interview with .
Joel Pohjanpalo completed Finland’s opening goal from the penalty kick at the end of the opening half. In the second half Daniel Håkans, Teemu Pukki and Robin Lod each succeeded once.
Kanerva stressed that the victory was meaningful for the team after the difficult previous qualifying matches. Finland no longer has a chance for the European Championships through its qualifying group.
– Face wash part 1 completed. We will continue on Tuesday, Kanerva summed up.
The head coach referred to the San Marino match that ends the European Championship qualifiers next week. However, the fight will be played already on Monday, from where the reporter Sami Laine remarked the head coach humorously at the end of the interview.
– Thank you. Towards Monday, Laine ended the interview and flashed Kanerva a wide smile and a startled expression when the experienced coach realized his mistake.
Kanerva said the coaching team got a lot of information from the match, for example about player trials. Among other things, a topper Miro Tenho and a versatile player who played as a fullback Matti Peltola joined Huuhkajie’s starting line-up.
Kanerva said he was really proud of the team.
– The team showed that the mental edge is tough. Guys showed what we’re made of. It wasn’t an easy place, so much has come to the fore, Kanerva stated honestly.
At the same time, the head coach regretted the missed opportunities in previous matches. Finland was still in excellent positions in the qualifying group in the summer, but the losses to Denmark and especially to Slovenia and Kazakhstan watered down the qualifiers, which had started well.
– I would have hoped that such a great game would have come earlier, either in Slovenia or against Kazakhstan, Kanerva admitted.
Now Finland’s sights are on the further qualifiers in March, to which the Huuhkajat cleared their way with their performances in the Nations League.
Finland had scored a total of two goals in its four previous qualifying matches. Against Northern Ireland, the efficiency was on a different level, as four different players managed to score. According to Kanerva, efficiency consists of a big whole.
– A lot depends on how we solve the situation. You have to get a lot of players to the breakthrough phase and above all the passes have to click into place. However, how we get to the breakthrough phase from the opening and building phase of the game is a big issue.
Kanerva stated that the team was able to hurt Northern Ireland with their vertical passes, as had been analyzed in advance.
Finland ends its European Championship qualifier against San Marino on Monday. The match starts at 21:45 and broadcast on channels at 21:15.
Finland won on Friday 17.11. Northern Ireland 4–0.
1–0 Joel Pohjanpalo, 42 min. (from penalty kick)
2–0 Daniel Håkans, 48 min.
3–0 Teemu Pukki, 74 min.
4–0 Robin Lod, 88 min.
Denmark–Finland 3–1
Northern Ireland–Finland 0–1
Finland–Slovenia 2–0
Finland–San Marino 6–0
Kazakhstan–Finland 0–1
Finland–Denmark 0–1
Slovenia–Finland 3–0
Finland–Kazakhstan 1–2
Finland–Northern Ireland 4–0
Mon 20.11. at 21:45 San Marino–Finland
The best two of the group will qualify for the summer 2024 European Championships, which will be played in Germany. shows all Huuhkajie’s qualifying matches live.