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.”
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Source: https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/vassiljev-alustasime-hasti-aga-punane-kaart-muutis-mangu
