By Micil Glennon
There are no household names in the Estonian team but their run to the play-offs has been driven by a core group of players.
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Konstantin Vassiljev (pictured far right)
Estonia’s main threat, he plays for Amkar Perm in the Russian Premier Division and has scored 14 goals in 47 internationals.
Five of that tally came in Group C qualifying where he scored twice against both Serbia and Northern Ireland, and was also on target against Slovenia.
This attacking midfielder loves to shoot from distance – his equaliser against Serbia came from a 40-yard free kick and Sergei Zenjov’s goal against Italy came after Vassiljev’s free kick, from even further out, was spilled by the goalkeeper.
The 27-year-old’s goal in the 3-1 win in Belgrade was a first-time strike from outside the box, and it was his stunning 25-yard effort in the last match against Northern Ireland, which ultimately secured the Blueshirts’ spot in the play-offs.
If Ireland can keep a lid on Vassiljev, it will go a massive way towards securing qualification.
Tarmo Kink
Plays with Middlesbrough in the npower Championship and has scored five goals in 57 international matches, including Estonia’s equaliser in their 3-1 away win in Serbia – a stunning 30-yard strike that left the goalkeeper with no chance.
His second goal of the campaign was a 40-yard effort in their 4-1 win over Northern Ireland.
Goalkeeper Lee Camp should have done better but, needless to say, Kink won’t hesitate to test Shay Given from distance.
Sergei Pareiko
Estonia conceded 14 goals in their ten games and goalkeeper Pareiko was possibly at fault for just two, getting caught out at the near post for Giuseppe Rossi’s goal in Italy’s 3-0 win and spilling Kyle Lafferty’s cross for Steven Davis’ goal in their 2-1 win over Northern Ireland.
He plays for Wisla Krakow and conceded four goals, including one to Damien Duff, in their recent Europa League defeat to Fulham, but again, there was little he could do to prevent any of them. In fact, Stephen Kelly pointed out on Monday that if it had not been for the 31-times-capped stopper, the Cottagers would have scored many more.
Standing at 6’4”, the 34-year-old is one of the main reasons why Estonia have reached this stage.
Joel Lindpere
Plays for New York Red Bulls in the MLS and quit the international scene before the current campaign began.
Controversially, he has returned to the squad and wants to play a cameo role in the play-offs.
An attacking midfielder, he scored five times in 74 appearances and would be likely to get a run if the Blueshirts need a goal late in either game. Let’s hope there is no Hollywood ending for the Estonians.
Sergei Zenjov
Chipped in with two goals for Tarmo Rüütli’s team in the group, including their only goal against Italy, but is suspended for the first leg.
The Karpaty Lviv striker will be one to watch for Tuesday’s return leg in Lansdowne Road.
