Finland's free-kick hero Walta: 'I could have done a lot better' in Albania win

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/walta-leo/t6VubL4D/"]Walta[/a] scored a free-kick in each half - the first was the equaliser to cancel out an early goal for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/albania/ELP2K4oB/"]Albania[/a], [b]struck low from 20 yards out and evaded goalkeeper [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/sherri-alen/zTdDPVna/"]Alen Sherri[/a][/b], who had only just come on after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/berisha-etrit/UVnq6dH9/"]Etrit Berisha[/a] was shown a straight red card in the 22nd minute for the foul which had given [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/finland/QuVpPpic/"]Finland[/a] the free-kick in the first place.[/p][p]The second gave Finland all three points with a little under 20 minutes to play and was around 10 yards further out than his first goal. Despite plenty of time to read the flight of the ball, [b]Sherri couldn't move across his goal quickly enough, such was the ferocity of Walta's strike.[/b][/p][p]The [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/los-angeles-fc/txUJt9AR/"]Los Angeles FC[/a] man becomes the first Finnish player since Alexei Eremenko against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/andorra/dnO5z404/"]Andorra[/a] in September 2004 to score two direct free-kicks in a match, and more importantly for the team, takes them top of the group with seven points from three games, one clear of Albania, as the UNL reaches its halfway mark.[/p][p]After such a big contribution to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/albania-ELP2K4oB/finland-QuVpPpic/?mid=OU0Efyjn"]a match[/a] which could prove key to Finland's chances of returning to League B, one would think this was Walta's finest performance in a [i]Huuhkajat [/i]shirt. But not according to the man himself.[/p][p] [/p][embed guid="f3e3b62a-628e-45bf-8f2b-17ca40883e58" url="https://x.com/Huuhkajat/status/2106685771264745667" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"It wasn't,"[/b] said Walta. [b]"The goals were great, of course,"[/b] he clarified, adding: [b]"But I could have done a lot better in terms of gameplay. Maybe that was a bit of a catch."[/b][/p][p]Finland fans may be pleased to hear that there could be better to come from Walta, though the whole squad stepped up after a poor showing against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/belarus/lhXEH2VT/"]Belarus[/a] in the goalless draw at home a few days earlier, a performance that Jacob Friis' team were keen to learn from.[/p][p][b]"When we watched video clips from the Belarus game, it was quite clear that we players could have done better and implemented the coach's tactics better in that game,"[/b] Walta said.[/p][p]Despite not being happy with his overall game against Albania, Walta was happier to be playing on the left side, having been dragged into the middle against Belarus.[/p][p][b]"The left side works better for me. I've played more in that position for the national team. I have a good partnership with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lahteenmaki-juho/UwF0H0WS/"]Juho Lahteenmaki[/a] on the left, and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/marhiev-adam/v3E9mnFa/"]Adam Markhiev[/a] is a little more central. It suits me really well. From there I can also cut into the middle, give crosses and finish well."[/b][/p][h2]Kamara recalled by QPR[/h2][p]Finland have one more match in this international window, the designated [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/belarus-lhXEH2VT/finland-QuVpPpic/?mid=8CZffSe3"]away match[/a] against Belarus which will be played in Budapest, Hungary. The Finnish squad for the game is now down to 23 players as [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kairinen-kaan/dMeJ6r6J/"]Kaan Kairinen[/a] is suspended due to two yellow cards, while [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/koski-ville/pSPr8Em1/"]Ville Koski[/a] has returned to his club, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/alaves/hxt57t2q/"]Alaves[/a], after picking up a muscle injury.[/p][p]The latest absentee, meanwhile, is [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kamara-glen/IPBMorSq/"]Glen Kamara[/a], after his club [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/queens-park-rangers/OSWG7skE/"]Queens Park Rangers[/a] demanded that he ended his international window early and return to London, and the midfielder decided to return.[/p][p][b]"Glen found himself in a difficult situation, as his club demanded that he leave the camp and return to London. He had to make a decision that was of course not what we had hoped for,"[/b] said head coach Friis in a Finnish FA statement, who was happy to continue with the remaining players.[/p][p][b]"Glen's decision was, of course, unfortunate as he is a good footballer and deserved his place in the team. We still have many good options for that position, so the team will not be supplemented."[/b][/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/soccer/europe/uefa-nations-league/"]Follow Finland in the UNL on Flashscore.[/a][/b][/p]