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Veikkausliiga - Kansalinen Liiga
Keskinen stands one goal shy of the current top scorer Joakim Latonen of Gnistan, who has registered four goals in the campaign, so far.
Anticipation builds for a thrilling showdown between Gnistan and VPS for what promises to be a captivating clash.
Two of Lahti's on-target shots were expertly dealt with by the HJK goalkeeper Ost Jesse. HJK registered 23 shots with 8 on target and four goals.
National Teams
Huuhkajat are expected to refine their tactical approach and build a strong squad to confront the task ahead in the UEFA Nations League campaign.
For the Eagle-owls of Finland, this match is seen as a debut in preparation for next year's UEFA Euro 2024 play-offs that will take place on 21 and 26 March 2024.
The approach undertaken put Finland in the best position in the first half. Then mistakes started showing when links couldn’t hold and some passes went wasted.
The Egle-owls will have to do without Rasmus Schüller. The experienced defense midfielder was substituted in the half-break in Slovenia. He got a slight concussion.
Finland were defeated in the opening game against Switzerland (1-2) in Turku last month. The next two games are crucial and must be handled carefully.
The matches of the October window already tell a lot about the starting point, from which Finland will go to the November matches, and what will be demanded in them.
Finland created opportunities for scoring but obtained only one goal. The coach believes that there is a need to know how to transform chances into goals.
In the last friendly game lost against Iceland (2-3) Finland showed individual talented players who could be threats to anyone, mostly in the midfield.
The previous 4 games confirmed that Finland have quality. But the question was whether the Eagle-owls were mature enough to play with giant nations in football.
Finland played both halves with two different teams. Both showed some qualities and some weaknesses in the game. Lehkosuo wants to see a change in the rhythm of the game.
Academy
Finland suffers from difficulties in transitioning from defense to offense and the challenges in maintaining possession against a strong opponent.
Coach Erkka V. Lehtola's selection process has assembled a talented squad set to face Sweden, Uruguay, and host nation Croatia with high hopes for success.
After the Elite round that took place in Vantaa, Finland (third) and Belgium (second) in the Group, did not make it, leaving Italy as the sole team from group 3 to progress to the finals which will take place in May.
The game was satisfactory according to the coach. They progressed well but the Minihuuhkajat were not dangerous enough in the final third as wished. They were not clinical enough.
Interviews
Match Preview
One big challenge that the U21 had to deal with against Switzerland was an aggressive-man-oriented high press. The focus is on getting past the first pressing line and accelerate.
Finland must maintain the intensity and pace. Also be more aggressive when losing the ball in the opponent's half of the field and win the ball back, said the coach.
The Huuhkajat returns home to host Nordic neighbours Denmark in a run for the Euro 2024 qualification. The focus will be put on defending better than in their first encounter.
HJK are ready to host the Northern Irish club, in their Sold-out Bolt Arena. “We are certainly a very different opponent,” believes HJK head coach Toni Koskela.
AC Oulu will again try to get victory over KuPS after failing on many occasions. Today’s win could boost their race to the title, and allow them to stay closer to the leading teams.
VPS believes in a remontada if they could be more aggressive in their attacking. A goal at the beginning of the game should be a prior target. Both teams suffer defensively.
HJK must perform much better and try to stay close to the leading teams. While Ludogorets Razgrad must secure the 3 points and raise hopes to go through the round-16.
Finland welcome Romania at the Olympic stadium, in a crucial game from which a win is highly recommended to the Finns. Otherwise, Finland face relegation.
These are teams that know each other. They met four times in the final of the Finnish cup, and in all, Inter won. If there is an act of revenge to perform it will be today.
HJK are comparing their fight against Roma to the famous one found in the bible, when Goliath defeated by the young David in single combat. HJK must have a sense of humor.