TALLINN - Estonia lost to Slovakia 1:2 in a tough World Cup qualifier in Tallinn on March 26, sapping the team of the inspiration needed to play Russia on March 30.
The Slovak team barely exceeded the Estonians in individual technique and mostly relied on short passing to advance. The visitors played carefully, returning to the goalkeeper's area every time the Estonians attacked.
The Slovak team maintained a strong offense toward the beginning of the first half, but then slowed down. The game lost its momentum as both teams failed to realize their opportunities. One such example was Kristen Viikmae's one-on-one attempt, which was neutralized by the Slovak goalkeeper Kamil Contofalsky's lucky play.
An attack initiated on the right wing during the 58th minute brought the first goal. Estonia's leading forward Andres Oper from Moscow's Torpedo confronted Contofalsky after a great pass from Sergei Terehov.
Slovak Marek Mintal, 27, who plays for 1.FC Nurnberg and has the highest goal score in the Bundesliga this season, equalized in less than a minute by neatly putting the ball into the left corner of Kotenko's goal from the goalkeeper's box line.
The visitors scored their second goal seven minutes later when Kotenko lost control of the ball in the air. Instead of securing the ball, the Estonian goalkeeper, pushed by the Slovak players, could only clumsily hit it away with his feet. The ball went straight to Lubos Reiter who put it into the net, making it 2:1 for Slovakia at the 66th minute.
The Slovaks immediately switched to the defense after the second point, making it even harder for the Estonians to get close to Contofalsky's goal.
Perhaps the most active player from the Slovak team was Miroslav Karhan, a 29 year-old midfielder who plays for German club VfL Wolfsburg. On the home side, Sergei Terehov from Shinnik Yaroslavl, Russia, was responsible for many fine attacks and the assisting pass to Oper's goal.
Meanwhile, Estonia's team veteran Martin Reim reminded everyone about his ability to deliver powerful long-distance strikes at the end of the second half. Both of his shots were on goal, and though Contofalsky did not have much trouble repelling them, it was a pity the Estonian team rarely performed long strikes.
Estonia's head coach Jelle Goes, who said his team played well and definitely deserved at least a draw, unexpectedly ordered the team back on the field after the game for a short training. Goes said the players looked depressed and extra exercise would calm them down.
After playing Slovakia, Estonia remained fifth in its group with seven points. Slovakia came in second with 13 points after group leader Portugal. Estonia played Russia in the next round of the World Cup qualifiers that took place on March 30.
