Teemu Pukki said that “we are not going to throw anyone under the bus now”. Markku Kanerva emphasized that he was seriously committed to the World Cup qualification project.
Mika Halonen,
Jaakko Servo,
Sami Laine
The Finnish and Greek Nations League match was followed in this article.
Huuhkajat suffered a 0-2 loss to Greece in their final match of the Nations League on Sunday evening in Helsinki.
Thus, Finland’s balance in the six Nations League matches this fall was six defeats with a goal difference of 2–13. Finland is relegated to the C-League.
– The situation is harsh in every way. Greece couldn’t even be challenged today. Zero points in hand, and you can’t even explain it with xG readings (expected goals), said the commentator Matti Härkönen.
Finland is now in its worst losing streak since 1980–1981. At the same time, it is clear that the last time Huuhkajat was seen in such a height Hans Backen during the head coach days, in 2016.
– It’s a story without jewels. It’s not really good to talk about it, no matter how the super hyper process is going on, Härkönen painted.
Teemu Pukki doesn’t throw himself under the bus
– We are at the bottom, he began Teemu Pukki In ‘s interview after the defeat.
– The direction is only up, but we have to improve a lot. There were some good things in some games, but if there are no results, it’s not warm.
Pukki emphasized that he has experienced the bottom in Huuhkaj, from which he rose to the prestigious competitions in a few years. So suddenly, the konkar attacker could not tell how the ascent would happen now.
– There will certainly be young guys who bring more energy. Fortunately, they have pulled well. All you have to do is believe. If we give up, at least it won’t rise.
Pukki emphasized that outside the field, the team’s atmosphere and confidence have remained strong. However, it has not been followed to the field anymore.
Pukki has seen a lot in Huuhkaj. He knows how harsh criticism is now the head coach Markku Kanervaa targets.
How do you rate how well the players are still behind this coaching?
– Yes, we are. The backgrounds changed a lot, and we started looking for a slightly different game. It takes time. It’s not just coaching’s fault. We, the players, are equally to blame for the situation. We’re not going to throw anyone under the bus now. Every person has to look in the mirror in this team, Pukki answered.
Pohjoikaarre sang its greetings to the chairman of the Finnish Football Association Ari to Lahti already at the beginning of the match: “Fly to Ari Qatar, fly!”. Even more violent sniffing, beginning with v, was heard during the match.
This is how Markku Kanerva answered the question about his own position
Markku Kanerva stated that it is not nice to be giving an interview at the end of such an autumn.
– Greece was strong. Played strongly, won for example away to England. Showed a certain quality. Of course, those goals are always sad. It’s all about the little one, Kanerva said.
Kanerva was saddened, for example, by the fact that Finland did not manage to get the desired game during its hunting. Passes are decisive in the attack, the finishing of the attacks was lame again.
– Of course, a tough place. There was encouragement from the audience, but I understand their disappointment. Lost the game. Here it is up to everyone to assemble themselves.
Very few good Huhukat moments in the game. When you add that rather harsh losing streak to that, what do you think about the spring and your own position?
– Yes, I completely understand that the fans and the media and probably many others are disappointed, but no one is as disappointed as ourselves. When I was once offered this extension contract… Now the previous contract would have ended.
Kanerva signed an extension last June. The new contract extends until the possible World Cup final tournament in 2026. The World Cup qualifying round will probably start in March.
– The extension was made with an eye on the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. For that, we started work in the fall and started to take this thing of ours forward. Of course, you are not satisfied with the results. But that… We have work to do. Let’s now analyze the Nations League as a whole.
– Let’s draw conclusions from that and see what happens in the summer. In all seriousness, I committed myself to the World Cup qualification project and I am still fully working towards it.