---
title: "Vassiljev rues early red card as Flora get beaten by Nõmme United"
date: 2026-07-17T19:52:31Z
lang: en
author: "Ivo"
canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/vassiljev-rues-early-red-card-as-flora-get-beaten-by-nomme-united/
categories: ["Premium liiga - match reports"]
---

# Vassiljev rues early red card as Flora get beaten by Nõmme United
**Flora head coach Konstantin Vassiljev said goalkeeper Kaur Kivila’s early dismissal “changed the game” after the reigning champions lost 2-1 at home to Nõmme United on Friday.**

Flora were reduced to 10 men in the 11th minute when Kivila was shown a straight red card, leaving the hosts to play close to 80 minutes a man down. Despite the setback, Vassiljev felt his side later found a foothold in the match.

“_We started well, we had chances, but we didn’t score_,” Vassiljev told Soccernet TV after the game. “_Then we got the red card and it disrupted the game. At some point we got the match under control._”

Vassiljev made eight changes to his starting XI compared with the previous outing in the Champions League qualifying round against Georgian Iberia 1999, but insisted there was no complacency. “_We have 25 players and they have to be ready at any moment_,” he said.

Flora pulled a goal back in the second half and maintained pressure in search of an equaliser, but were unable to force a second. Vassiljev said the final moments lacked precision, while crediting the visitors’ resistance.

“Our shots went over or wide,” he added. “United defended well and bravely.”

Source: [soccernet.ee](https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/vassiljev-alustasime-hasti-aga-punane-kaart-muutis-mangu)