The loss in the UEFA League of Nations match against Malta on Tuesday in the performance of the Latvian national team has highlighted the things that were not previously noticed either in the tests or in the official matches, the head coach Dainis Kazakevičs said at the post-match press conference.
Latvia conceded to Malta 0: 1 in the fourth game of the first group of the UEFA League of Nations D at the Daugava Stadium.
“We lost the game in the 95th minute.” There was a lack of patience in the game. In the second half, we started to get nervous, ”Kazakevičs said at the post-match press conference. “The previous match against the Faroe Islands took a lot of effort, so we weren’t the first freshness.”
“We chose to play very actively – to meet the opponent on the side of their field, which basically also gave a lot of moments in the first half. There was a lack of freshness in the second half, and there were not so many moments anymore, so the “half moments” lacked the patience to play to the end. “
Kazakevičs did not hide that on Tuesday, the team that wanted more won the field, most likely, but the Latvian national team did not play in the middle of the field in the first half, which was sometimes used quite successfully by Malta.
“In such episodes, it is important to believe in yourself and play to the end, waiting for the moment. This time the opponents did it, ”added Kazakevičs, who has not yet managed to celebrate victory in four matches at the helm of the Latvian national team.
After the previous game against the Faroe Islands, when the Latvian national team played a draw for the third time in a row, Kazakevičs pointed out that the performance of footballers is improving and the team is going in the right direction. The specialist did not deviate from these words even after the failure on Tuesday.
“I have my doubts about the direction.” This game definitely highlighted things that were not visible in September and also in the first duels of this month, “said Kazakevičs. “We couldn’t deal with the psychological pressure that was best seen in the second half, when footballers were tired.”
Kazakevich pointed out that tense moments in the future will allow him to understand more clearly which footballers can be relied on at crucial moments. Kazakevich, on the other hand, does not think about resigning, because he believes in himself and the team.
“If you think I’m not doing well, I think differently. I believe that there are many positive trends. There has been a lot of team turnover in the team, and we have also come to terms with a large group of new players. Is it worth it [turpināt darbu]? It is up to the football federation to decide, ”said the specialist.
The coach was also asked if another football player, who had not been given a chance before, could be invited to the national team in the future. Kazakevich emphasized that there are problems in some positions in the state unit, but did not name them specifically. He also stated that the selection criteria for entry into the national unit will not be changed.
“All three games showed that in some positions we need new faces,” said Kazakevich. “The players themselves need to improve their performance, and I believe they will.”
In October, Gļebs Kļuškins, a player of the Lithuanian team Marijampole “Sūduva” and Daniels Ontužāns, who is at the disposal of Bayern Munich, also helped the team. None of the footballers played in the test matches or in the League of Nations, but Kazakevich explained the reasons.
“The performance of each football player is evaluated during the training process. We watch how they compete with other players and accordingly we also choose the line-up for the game, ”Kazakevičs explained the choice of the list of candidates. “In order for these players to be called to the national team next time, they need to come stronger. Including Gleb. “
The coach had repeatedly stated that the attackers lacked confidence. According to Kazakevich, the help of a psychologist would not give the desired result, because each player must start with an analysis of his performance, but the coaches will continue to work on the team climate.
Kazakevich also pointed out that another camp will probably be held in February to bring the national team players together. The specialist pointed out that additional training will allow you to complete the preparation cycle better.
At the end of the press conference, the head coach of the Latvian national team pointed out that not all games are evaluated with a minus sign. He also has his own vision and vision that can only be realized in the long run.
In September, in the first group of the UEFA Nations D League, Latvians played 0-0 with Andorra at home and fought 1: 1 with Malta. Another draw was recorded three days ago in Tourshavn, where a draw was played again – 1: 1 with Faroese footballers.
Malta lost 2: 3 to the Faroe Islands in September and played 1: 1 with Latvia at home. Three days ago, Malta finished the game with Andorra in a draw.
Six days ago, both teams played in a friendly match. Latvia played 1: 1 with Montenegro in a heavy and wet field, but Malta beat Gibraltar at home 2: 0.
After four games, the Faroe Islands are leading the group with ten points, Malta has five points, the Latvian national team has scored three and Andorra has two points.
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