Estonia make room for Poom
Tuesday, May 7, 2002
Article summary
Estonia have named their squad for this month's friendlies against Poland and San Marino.
Article body
Three goalkeepers
Coach Arno Pijpers has named a 21-man squad for the games, including Derby County FC goalkeeper Mart Poom for the first time in over three months. FC Flora's Martin Kaalma, who replaced the injury-prone Poom for much of Estonia's FIFA World Cup campaign, is also involved, as is Sergei Pareiko, the reserve custodian at Russian club SC Rotor Volgograd.
Poom boon
Dutchman Pijpers explained the decision to call up the trio, saying: "When Mart is 100 per cent fit, he would be our No1, and that is the case against Poland. But because he has had so many injuries, I need two good keepers for back-up. I see Kaalma every day, so Pareiko will get his chance."
Lemsalu left out
With Pijpers picking the players who brought him wins against FIFA World Cup finalists Saudi Arabia and Russia, there is no place for Norway-based defender Marek Lemsalu, of Bryne FK. "I know his qualities, but at the moment he is unable to get into the team in front of Raio Piiroja and Andrei Stepanov," the coach said.
Estonia squad
Kaalma, Pareiko, Poom, Allas, Piiroja, Rähn, M Rooba, U Rooba, Saviauk, Stepanov, Kristal, Leetma, Novikov, Oper, Reim, Haavistu, Saharov, Terehhov, Ustritski, Viikmäe, Zelinski.
