Tomas Galvez did not fit into the lineup.
Markku Kanerva’s (right) team left as the winner. Kimmo Brandt / EPA / AOP
To the surprise of many Tomas Galvez was the Pikkuhuuhkajie player who got the chance to show his skills in Huuhkaji in November’s EC qualifying decision.
The top promise playing in Manchester City’s Academy was wanted to bring competition to the left wing-back field.
When the lineups for the game between Finland and Northern Ireland came out, Galvezia, 18, did not even appear on the list. He got to watch the 4–0 victory in freezing weather in the stands of the Olympic Stadium.
– There are certain plans in advance. There are several left fullbacks involved. Someone had to stay in the stands. Tomas will have responsibility against San Marino on Monday, head coach Markku Kanerva reasoned.
– The opponent will then be different, but I could believe that Galvez’s strengths in the attacking direction are perfectly suited to that.
Galvez still has the option to choose the Spanish or English national team as well. By playing against San Marino, getting locked in Finland would be one step closer.
There were also alternatives Jere Uronen and Noah Pallas. However, heather ended up Matti Peltolaa.
The field dazzled
Miro Tenho managed to protect Finland’s goal. PDO
The selection was successful. Peltola actually continued where it left off in Belfast last March. The youngster, who left HJK in January, did not play in the role of a traditional full-back, but was often in the same line with the top two in the ball phase.
Right Full Back Nikolai Alho instead, support attacks higher up. The asymmetrical shape was a new kind of bet, and it seemed to work.
Peltola brought a different dimension to the game.
His foot also started the situation that led to a wonderful 4–0 goal. Peltola burst through the Northern Ireland lines with his hard, low pass and found the net Teemu Pukin. This continued Robin to Lodiwho finished.
In the end, Pallas also got on the field for the last 10 minutes.
– Many others have also drooled over screen spots, Pallas among others, Kanerva continued.
Likewise Miro Tenho. He opened by Robert Ivanov as a pair of toppers and now got to show their skills in the spotlight. There was nothing to criticize about the performance.
– Maybe it’s fair to single out the successful ones only after I’ve looked through everyone’s personal performances once. Yes, there were many successful people there, Kanerva reflected.
In addition to two excellent matches against Northern Ireland, Peltola also succeeded against rock-hard Denmark in the summer. Then he played in the three-top line on the left.
In addition, the miracle of versatility can be used in the center of the midfield.
Friday’s performance was so strong that it may be difficult to drop Peltola from the opening in March’s EC further qualifiers, when Huuhkajat tries to make use of its reserve cartridge.