The Israeli-born Russian has been drafted into Russia’s gross troop. On Monday, he will be notified if he is in the final squad.
MOLDE (Nettavisen): – It’s big and I’m happy. That’s a goal for me, but I want to join the final squad. I had a good match against Molde now, so we’ll see, Nikita Haikin begins to Nettavisen after having kept a clean sheet for Bodø / Glimt in the league final against Molde on Wednesday night.
– Hopefully someone saw it, but I do not want to say too much. We will see on Monday, he continues when he is asked how he assesses the chances of a place in the squad that will go out in important World Cup qualifiers against Cyprus and Croatia on 11 and 14 November.
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The Russians top Group H two points ahead of Croatia with two remaining matches, in a group that can culminate in a pure group final between the two countries in Zagreb in the battle for a direct World Cup ticket to Qatar.
Has several age-specific matches for the country
Haikin has internationals for Russia at U16 to U21 level. Last week, he was informed that he was one of five goalkeepers in the gross squad for the A national team for the upcoming national matches in November.
In Wednesday’s 2-0 victory, Haikin was once again solid in the goal of the reigning league leader who is well on his way to defending last year’s league gold.
Coach Kjetil Knutsen was very dissatisfied with what the team showed before the break in Wednesday’s match, but Glimt responded with an impressive performance after the break at Aker Stadium.
– We had to pull the players a little in the ears for them to stand up in the match and take the duels. I raised my voice, Knutsen told Nettavisen after the match.
The coach’s scolding was enough to wake up the players and was instrumental in Haikin being able to keep the cage clean for the ninth time this season.
The 26-year-old has conceded 19 goals in 23 games in the Elite Series this season.
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In addition, he has shown several good performances in Europe this autumn. Haikin’s efforts have piqued Russian interest.
– I just talked to the goalkeeping coach there. He decides the selection for the goalkeepers, says Haikin, who states that he himself has not spoken to national team coach Valerij Karpin.
– I’m thinking about it
In addition to the Glimt goalkeeper, Khimki goalkeeper Ilya Lantranov is also without international caps for the country. Experienced Guilherme Marinato and Soslan Dzhanaev, as well as 22-year-old Matvej Safonov are the three remaining goalkeepers in the gross squad.
– I think about it yes, but all I can do is perform in the matches. I’m not the one who decides. I’m excited, Haikin admits before the final draw the day after Sunday’s match against Sandefjord at Aspmyra.
Haikin’s agent, former LSK, VIF and Tromsø goalkeeper, Otto Fredrikson says to Russians Metaratings that he is proud that Haikin has been called up to the Russian national team.
– But I’m not surprised. He is a strong and intelligent person. Nikita has worked hard and has constantly improved his game since he came to Norway three years ago. During the last two seasons, he has consistently played all his matches at a high level, says the Finn.
Kjetil Knutsen’s preferred last stronghold, for his part, is aware that Bodø / Glimt’s successful season so far this year is also physically eroding.
– There are many challenges and a tight match program, but we will not complain about that. That’s how it is. We want to be in the position we are in, Haikin concludes knowing that the yellow jerseys can take another step closer to their second straight league gold in the Elite Series on Sunday night when Sandefjord comes to visit Aspmyra at 18.00.
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