Oct 10,2024
Striking similarities existed during the press conference of Finland head coach Markku Kanerva as with Ireland counterpart Heimir Hallgrimsson on the eve of their Nations League encounter at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki.
The Finland coach is also coming into this window off the back of a double defeat in his side's opening two games in September, going down 3-0 to Greece before getting beaten 2-0 against England.
Kanerva is, likewise, eager to get some points on the board to kick-start Finland’s campaign, while also keeping one eye on next year’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
And while the Finland manager has been in his role a lot longer than Hallgrimsson, he is at the beginning of a process of attempting to get his side to evolve into a more dynamic unit following the failure to qualify for Euro 2024.
September’s games – like the new Ireland head coach’s – were games one and two of the process, he explained at the pre-match press conference, while he hopes to see his side take the next step in games three and four, as they first face Ireland before welcoming England to Helsinki on Sunday.
Kanerva is expecting a tough task against Ireland, who he expects to be physical and dangerous from set-pieces, while he also emphasised that the squad contained a lot of quality players playing in the Premier League, the Championship and Scotland.
And the Finland boss did also embrace the concept of the relegation battle a bit more than his coaching counterpart and added that after two defeats there is an expectation to win the home game against fellow group strugglers.
"Ireland is a tough team. I think Ireland thinks the same way," said Kanerva. "To be able to stay in League B or to have chances to qualify to League A, they have to get three points. It’s going to be a very tight, even game. Small margins will play a huge role."
"It’s the same for both teams. Yes, of course, playing in front of home crowd. The expectation is we win, but it won’t be easy, for sure.
"It’s Ireland’s DNA, they’re hard workers, very strong in duels, physical team, eager to put a lot of pressure on opponents, and dangerous in set pieces.
"We can only predict how Ireland will approach the game. Put a lot of pressure on us or maybe defend in low block. It’s hard to say.
"The record they have had it doesn’t matter. It’s a single game. Totally different. We have good record against Ireland. In the Nations League we won both games 1-0. That’s history. Nothing to do with tomorrow’s game."
When pushed for players that impressed him, Kanerva referenced the central defensive unit as the area where he felt Ireland were strongest.
"They have a great team but if you think about the centre-backs, for instance, many of those guys play in the English Premier League and of course they have a lot of attacking power as well and options."
Kanerva is also in the process of blending youth with experience and is keen to test out some of his emerging talent in among his older players throughout the Nations League campaign.
The Finland coach did admit, however, that he also had issues with restoring his players’ confidence levels following the two defeats, but did add that his side needed to play better to get the required results.
The one difference between the two sides was noticeable, however, as Kanerva was confident that his side could bounce back from the results, having overcome previous poor performances, which is a luxury not yet afforded to Hallgrimsson who is working with a group who have never enjoyed a sustained streak of positive outcomes.
"Of course we have the two toughest away games in September and we have been in this current situation before and the team has shown tremendous mental strength by bouncing back very quickly," said Kanerva.
"I think we still have the self-confidence, but that's not enough, We have to play better, it's as simple as that."
And as for getting the points that would get his side up and running in this Nations League campaign, Kanerva remains confident that his side will come out the right side of a tough tactical battle against the fighting Irish.
"They defend pretty well as a team, and as a nation they are very strong mentally, and in duels and set-pieces," said Kanerva.
"So we have to be aware of those attacking threats, and sometimes they play quite simply in a way, straightforward, but of course a quality possession game as well.
"But we have a made a game-plan to beat them so hopefully it will work."
