Tonight, Estonian national footballers play Hungary, on the latter’s turf, at World Cup qualifiers. At home, Estonia was beaten by Magyars, 0:1.
Frontrunner Hungary extols Estonia
10th September 2013, 16:40
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Following the highly emotional Friday football show with Holland, Estonia now faces Hungary. As the draw due to extra-time penalty, with the Dutch, showered Estonians with cards like autumn leaves, today the ranks are thinned with many a key player missing.
In their own eyes, Hungarians are definite frontrunners. Even so, the good game played by Estonians has not gone unnoticed. «We are the favourites, I’m just optimistic,» the Hungarian coach Sandor Egervari told Estonian media, yesterday. Even so, he noted they had detected the missing of Konstantin Vassiljev. «We know the top guy is out, the one that let Holland have it beautifully, two times.»
The missing three
In addition to Vassiljev, Raio Piiroja and Aleksandr Dmitrijev are out, today. Sergei Mošnikov will have to act as engine, Mikk Reintam or Alo Bärengrub having to «act Piiroja». Should head coach Tarmo Rüütli desire to use the Friday scheme, he may shift Joel Lindpere into mid field, from the left.
In these qualifiers, Estonia has already played Hungary once: last October, the guests took a narrow 1:0 win, goal scored by Tamas Hajnal on minute 46th. «We had no sharpness, at the time, so they were a bit better, then,» recalls Mr Rüütli.
«We know Estonia is a tough team, but playing at home we have no fear. We will have to be better the entire 90 minutes, frontrunners of not,» noted the Hungarians’ veteran goal keeper Gabor Kiraly, adding that Estonians deserved a victory against Holland, on Friday. «The penalty granted to Holland was no penalty. Estonia ought to have won 2:1.»
For Hungary, today’s game against Estonia is vital, as, holding 3rd place in the group, they hope to rise to 2nd place and make it to play-off. Still, they are somewhat downcast by being beaten by Romania, on Friday, 0:3. That will have an effect on today’s game, as fewer fans will show up at the Ferenc Puskas National Arena.
The arena, opened in 1953, holds a whopping 56,000 viewers. Even so, the upper stands being in a poor shape, 30,000 max are allowed entry. According to journalists, however, a mere 10,000 Hungarian fans are expected today (matched by some 220 Estonians, to our knowledge). So the vast arena will look pretty empty.
«I met somebody from Györi who said the expectations towards the Friday game were a lot bigger. It was a disappointment to all, it having been a very important game, for them,» said Jarmo Ahjupera, who plays in Hungary, at Ujpest.
Criticism quite abounds, towards the team, amongst Hungarian media, who considers their defence outright laughable. Even so, Mr Ahjupera would underline some strengths.
«They have excellent individual players from good clubs, they play technical football. Statistically, Szalai would be the most dangerous (the Schalke 04 attacker, Adam Szalai – edit); he kicks the most goals,» said the Estonian attacker. «The weaknesses? I don’t know... Defence teamwork, perhaps,» he added.
Hungarythe Favourite
Thus, Estonian footballers agree that today, the home team is frontrunner. «Forget Holland, think Hungary,» says right wing defender Enar Jääger. «Hungary plays at home, that’s always a strength.»
Hungarian coach plans and prepares full force. «I have always said: Estonia needs to be considered a team that may contest for 2nd place, in the subgroup,» cautioned Mr Egervari. «This will be a battle, we know the Estonians have prepared well.»
Estoniaand Hungary play in Budapest, today at 9:30 pm, Estonian time. In other D-subgroup games, Andorra hosts Holland, Romania is visiting Turkey.
Morozov: teammates say Estonia wins
The Estonian defender Igor Morozov who joined Hungarian top club Debrecen, this summer, cannot play due to injury; however, they have discussed the game with the guys at the club.
«The team-mates say Estonia will win. This kind of talk always goes by the last games (Estonia-Holland 2:2; Hungary-Romania 0:3),» explained Mr Morozov. «I checked both games, over the Internet. Against Romania, Hungary didn’t stand a chance. I believe Estonia will do a decent game.»
Today, Mr Morozov will take his seat at the bleachers. In about two months’ time, he hopes to be in shape again.
«I had surgery in Hungary, walking without crutches already. I’ll pay a visit to the hotel see the [Estonian team] guys. Will show the knee to Kaspar (Estonian team doctor Kaspar Rõivassepp – edit)» said Mr Morozov.
Today is a first, for the defender: never before has he sat a spectator, abroad, watching Estonia play. «Quite an experience for me... so far, I’ve only experienced games abroad playing along or on the bench, as a reliefer,» noted Mr Morozov.