Oper to the rescue for Estonia

Stoppage-time winner
The Aalborg BK striker came on for the last half-hour to score both Estonia goals - the second in stoppage time - in a 2-1 victory. Oper turned up at training yesterday with a fever and it was feared he had picked up a virus.

Canada in control
However, his two goals turned around a match in which Canada had taken a deserved 48th-minute lead through Paul Stalteri. If Canada controlled much of the first hour of the match - with SV Werder Bremen's Stalteri the dominant midfield player - Estonia coach Arno Pijpers could point to mitigating circumstances.

Weakened team
After losing eight players from his initial squad, he had suffered further setbacks ahead of the match with defenders Raio Piiroja and Andrei Stepanov dropping out through injury, which - combined with the absences of Sergei Hohlov-Simson and Taavi Rähn - left Estonia without four central defenders.

Untried central defence
In the middle of the back line then were two players who had never met before joining the squad this week - Marek Lemsalu, making his return to national team, and 18-year-old Enar Jääger. Behind them was Mart Poom, who captained the team in the absence of the injured Martin Reim.

Visitors go close
The untested home defence looked vulnerable and Canada had several good chances to take the lead in the first half. Stalteri struck the side-netting twice and Nottingham Forest FC's Jim Brennan fired a shot narrowly wide.

Substitutes shine
It was no surprise when Stalteri opened the scoring just three minutes into the second half. Martin Nash's pass left him unmarked in front of Poom and he finished with ease. That goal sparked Estonia into life, however. Half-time substitute Kristen Viikmäe was immediately influential and Oper, a 62nd-minute replacement for Indrek Zelinski, even more so.

Quick to react
Liivo Leetma and Oper both went close, then Kristen Viikmäe was foiled by Canada goalkeeper Pat Onstad, before Oper finally levelled after 73 minutes. When the ball landed on the penalty spot following a corner, Oper was quickest to react, turning and shooting between the legs of Onstad.

Osieck unhappy
From another corner, in the second minute of added time, Oper's header beat Onstad to seal the comeback. Canada coach Holger Osieck said: "I don't want to blame anybody, but I must tell my goalkeeper he can use his hands as well - it was a strange goal, the second one."

Pijpers warning
Pijpers, who felt Estonia had "too many players missing", hopes to have Piiroja and Stepanov back for Wednesday's UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier at home to Bulgaria. Leetma and Oper are expected to start then while Viikmäe might replace Indrek Zelinski. "If we start the game like today, we will have lots of problems against our group leaders," Pijpers warned.