---
title: "Captain Mets: “We’re disappointed, but we have to look ahead with optimism”"
date: 2025-10-15T06:52:01Z
lang: en
author: "Dmitrijs Kravcenko"
canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/captain-mets-were-disappointed-but-we-have-to-look-ahead-with-optimism/
categories: ["Estonia", "FIFA World Cup"]
---

# Captain Mets: “We’re disappointed, but we have to look ahead with optimism”
Estonia captain **Karol Mets** admitted his team were left frustrated [after a 1–1 draw with Moldova](https://balticfootballnews.com/wasteful-estonia-held-to-frustrating-draw-by-moldova-in-tallinn/) in Tallinn, a result that ensured they stayed above their opponents in the World Cup qualifying group but extended the home winless run for another year.

It was a bittersweet evening for the 31-year-old defender, who completed his first full 90 minutes in almost eleven months. “_Physically, I’d trained hard and was ready for it_,” Mets said afterwards. “_I didn’t know if I’d play the whole game, but once I felt good after 60 minutes, there was no reason to come off. I’m just glad to get a full match done again_.”

Estonia had looked sharp early on, taking the lead in the 12th minute when Mattias Käit fired in from outside the box after a pass from Michael Schjönning-Larsen. But Moldova fought back after the break, equalising midway through the second half through Stefan Bodisteanu, whose long-range effort deflected beyond Karl Jakob Hein.

Mets, who anchored the back line alongside Maksim Paskotši, said the team allowed the visitors back into the game through their own errors. “_For me, we were clearly the better team — we dominated and controlled the game_,” he reflected. “_But we let them back in with mistakes — bad passes, poor decisions. Moldova didn’t do anything special; we gave them chances ourselves._”

He admitted that Estonia’s tendency to lose rhythm after taking the lead remains an issue: “_We just needed to be more patient with the ball and make simpler choices. A second goal would’ve killed the game. Instead, we rushed a bit and gave them space_.”

Despite a solid performance on his return, Mets acknowledged he is still finding full sharpness. “_I didn’t feel tired, but I made some decisions that I wouldn’t make if I were playing regularly. It’s about rhythm — the more I play, the more natural it gets._”

The draw means Estonia end the year without a home victory, though the result keeps them ahead of Moldova in the standings. In a quiet dressing room afterwards, Mets tried to balance realism with perspective. “_Of course it’s sad. There was no celebration — everyone felt the same. But we have to stay positive and keep working. We reached the minimum goal of not letting Moldova overtake us, but we’re not satisfied_.”

With one qualifier remaining, away to Norway next month, the captain’s focus now shifts back to his club situation. “_A lot has happened while I’ve been out_,” he said. “_There are four players competing for my position now. I just have to keep training hard and wait for my chance. If I do that, I’ll get back to where I need to be_.”

* * *

Source: [https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/kapten-mets-oleme-kurvad-aga-peame-vaatama-optimistlikult-tulevikku](https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/kapten-mets-oleme-kurvad-aga-peame-vaatama-optimistlikult-tulevikku)