As my first managerial career game approaches, I have decisions to make. Who to choose to represent my and our Nation. I decided to go for a bit more experienced squad with 16 out of 23 players are over 25 years old and none under 20.
I chose my team according to my tactic, as an international team manager it is easy to put players into a tactic you like. In club football, most of the time you have to make your tactic around the players. Cause you cant start selling and buying the players ewverytime you might change the tacktics.
I goal I chose a more experienced Mihkel Aksalu, who has proven himself as the finnish club SJK captain. I opted not to pick Sergei Lepmets as he had not been good enough for his club. Vaikla and Igonen are both good youth prospects and we have easier games ahead in September, so they might get some game time.
In defense we have the usual Raku Klavan, the cornerstone of Estonian defense. Taijo Teniste on right and Artur Pikk on the left. Youngster Vihmann will most likely also make an appereance and Kulinits might make a debut game.
In midfield we have a bit more experimental squad. Ainsalu, Roosnupp havent made many apps for the mens team (around 4), so I will be checking if they have the passion or not. Kostja Vassiljev will be the creative outlet and Käit is the most promising player in the whole squad.
In attack I chose to bring back Kaimar Saag, whose last name in english means "saw", so I hope he will saw through enemies defense.
SEPTEMBER
Our games will be against Luxembourg and Gibraltar. Both should be hard wins, but with Estonia, you never know. We haven't been playing like we want it since Tarmo Rüütli was fired as manager.
vs LUXEMBOURG
This is the formation and squad we are going into the games with. I absolutely expect Vassiljev (from now on Kostja) to score at least one goal. I know it is a lot of pressure to put on one man, but I have to do it as there isn't a lot of talent going around in Estonia.
Andthis is it!!! Kostja scoreeeees!!!!! A free kick was all it took!
30th min - 0-1 to estonia
Aaaand ****, Luxembourg ties on 71st min, goal by Dany Mota. Things are not looking great.
Kostja has done a few great runs, but failed to score. I am changing to a more attacking tactic.
Kaimar saag does a woderful header, but LUX goalkeeper Weber had faster reflexes.
A draw is not the worst result, not great, not bad. One positive thing we can take from this match is that we were attacking and we were better than we had been the previous 3 years.
vs GIBRALTAR
Against Gibraltar I am going with a bit more attacking squad with both wingers being more attaacking than the half time defender-wingfers I used last game
And we got our first shot on target in frst minute. That's good, however I am still mad I accepted the conract. But if you want to be great you have to do thigs you do not like (like managing not so good nations).
We had been piling on pressure the whole first half and Gibraltar finally cracked. Kaimar Saag grabs his 4th goal for Estonia on 27th minute.
It's a penalty on 35th minute. Kaimar Saag's shirt was being pulled. Taijo Teniste takes the ball given to him by Vassiljev. He starts his run aaand ITS IN!!!!!! 0-2 to EST.
Saag scores, but its offside (45th min)
I love the passion at the moment, Everyone is fighting for whats theirs. No one will go down without a fight.
Gibraltar just wont give up, and I feel my players have become complacent. Casciaro scores, 1-2 (83rd min)
Karol Mets scores after a corner, 1-3 (95th min)
Okay, September was good, zero loses. Let's see if I have to resign anytime soon.