Markku Kanerva says that he appreciates players who want to commit to Huuhkaji.
Head coach of the Finnish men’s national team Markku Kanerva comment by Robert Taylor refusing to play for the national team in the important EC qualifying games for the first time on Wednesday.
Kanerva said that she had talked with Taylor last weekend. That’s when Taylor announced his decision. According to Kanerva, Taylor’s decision came as a surprise after the team was named.
– Of course I was surprised by the decision. I was disappointed and upset, but I do have some understanding for the decision. Players make their own choices. This was Robert Taylor’s choice, Kanerva described.
According to Kanerva, decisions like Taylor’s open opportunities for others to improve their position in the national team.
– I value players who want to commit to Huuhkaji and represent their own country. But the decision was not easy for “Roope”. He thought long and hard about it. I haven’t really thought about what will happen to him in the future. Focus only on this team and these players, how we beat Wales, Kanerva said.
Kanerva did not open the details of the conversation with Taylor to the Finnish media.
– The situation in the club team is alive and probably influenced the decision, Kanerva said.
The Swedish Football Association announced on Sunday that Taylor announced that he would miss the qualifying games at the end of March. Taylor wanted to focus on the activities of his club team Inter Miami.
Huhukajat will face Wales on Thursday away from home. With a win, Huuhkajat will play for a place in the European Championship next week in Helsinki on Tuesday. During the national team games, Miami will play the MLS series once on Saturday in New York.
Miami has had injury concerns. Taylor’s superstar couple Lionel Messi for example, is currently injured.
Taylor’s decision spoke volumes
Taylor’s decision to withdraw drew a lot of criticism, especially on social media. Taylor said on his Instagram account on Monday that he will stay out of the European Championship qualifiers to save his body and avoid injuries, as the club team’s schedule is tight and the trips from North America to Europe are long.
– I strongly believe that in these very important matches, Finland needs players who are 100% fit, so that we can hopefully secure a place in the European Championships. It would have been selfish of me to take this opportunity away from another player,” Taylor wrote.
– Because the decision was very difficult, it took longer than expected to reach this solution. I know that it has put the team in a challenging situation, so I want to apologize to my teammates and coaches. I will continue to work hard to get another chance to represent Finland in future matches.
Taylor has played in 34 international matches and scored two goals. He has often worked as a substitute in the national team.
Forss aside
Kanerva also told the news on the eve of the Wales match. Marcus Forss is not available for the EC qualifying games due to injury.
– Forss was injured in the previous game. There is a tear in the back thigh. It’s too bad. Marcus has suffered from injuries. However, we have a striking team. At this stage, the team will not be supplemented. We’ll see if there’s a need for it after the Wales game, Kanerva described the attacker representing Middlesbrough in England’s second division.
Finnish goalkeeper coach Antti Niemi is on the sidelines due to a slight flu, and did not participate in the national team’s training on the eve of the Wales match.
will follow the EC qualifying game Wales-Finland on Thursday on its website moment by moment and will show the game live on TV2 and Areena. The broadcast starts at 21:00 in the advance studio. The game starts at 21:45.