New era, new energy: Vassiljev’s Paide kicks off with convincing win over Kalju

Vladimir Vassiljev couldn’t have asked for a better start to life as Paide Linnameeskond head coach. In his debut match at the helm, the new manager guided his side to a confident 2–0 win over Nõmme Kalju — a result that not only halted Kalju’s winning run but also hinted at a potentially revitalized Paide side.

The fresh-faced head coach made some notable calls in his maiden lineup, opting to start veteran Marko Meerits between the posts ahead of the usually first-choice Ebrima Jarju. Further upfield, Sten Reinkort was given the nod as central striker, with Robi Saarma deployed out wide and Mouhamed Gueye operating just behind the front line.

Pre-match whispers suggested that Jarju might have been sidelined due to illness — a detail the commentators were quick to pass along as Paide got things underway at Hiiu Stadium.

Paide looked sharp early on, carving out a handful of dangerous chances in the opening half. In the 17th minute, Saarma delivered a teasing ball across the face of goal that Gueye met with a strong header, only for it to sail high over the bar. Just two minutes later, Luts nearly broke the deadlock with a stinging drive from the edge of the box that forced Kalju keeper Pavlov into a fingertip save to push the ball over the crossbar.

Saarma continued to threaten, curling a 28th-minute free kick toward the top corner that again drew a save from the alert Pavlov. Kalju, by contrast, struggled to mount anything of note in attack.

By halftime, the scoreboard still read 0–0, but the balance of play had been anything but even: Paide had dictated the tempo for 35 minutes, while Kalju only came into the game briefly before the break.

The second half saw Paide pick up where they left off. A fifth corner of the match in the 48th minute led to a close call when Gilmore’s effort ricocheted dangerously and crashed against the crossbar. Moments later, Luts whipped in a cross that found Saarma near the six-yard box, but Pavlov again came to the rescue, smothering the effort. However, VAR was called into action for an earlier incident — Reinkort had gone down in the box during the build-up.

Referee Koppel made the trip to the monitor — and returned with a decision: Penalty to Paide. Replay confirmed that Podholjuzin had stepped onto Reinkort’s heel while trying to track him. Saarma stepped up and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, sending Pavlov the wrong way and giving Paide the lead.

Just minutes later, the striker got a goal of his own. A lovely passing sequence involving Saarma, Gueye, and Miller culminated in Miller slipping Reinkort through on goal, and the number 9 made no mistake — 2–0 in the 66th minute.

Kalju tried to rally late, winning a couple of corners in the dying minutes, but there was no way back. Paide defended well and secured a deserved victory in Vladimir Vassiljev’s debut as manager.

Nomme Kalju FC vs Paide Linnameeskond – 0:2 (0:0)
Goals: Saarma 53′ (Penalty Kick), Reinkort 66′
NOM: Pavlov, Mashchenko (Korre 76′), Podholjuzin, Tambedou, Nikolajev, Musolitin (Marin 74′), Kask (Jabir 46′), Siht, Patrikejevs (Baptista 74′), Tarassenkov, Ivanov (Orlov 57′)
PAI: Meerits, Lilander, Delevic, Baranov, Saliste, Gilmore, Miller, S.Luts (D.Luts 60′), Gueye (Badamosi 76′), Saarma, Reinkort (Gomis 76′)

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