FINLAND (1) 2 WALES (1) 1.
A disappointing 2-1 defeat for Wales in Helsinki against Finland.
The home side took the lead after 5 minutes through Porokara, Wales fought back well and deservedly equalised after 17 minutes when a David Vaughan cross found Craig Bellamy running into the area, he finished well. Wales controlled the rest of the half with good movement from Vaughan, Edwards, Church and Bellamy but failed to capitalise and take a half time lead.
Second half was poor, as Wales tired and with Finland creating more chances they took lead on 76 minutes, when left full back Moisander broke into the Wales area and finished well in the bottom corner. A disappointing defeat after showing some good promise after levelling the score at 1-1.
Wales travel to Vaduz on Wednesday to face Liechtenstein in the last 2010 World Cup qualifier. Both Wayne Hennessey and captain Craig Bellamy miss the game due to suspension
GOALS: Porokara 5', Bellamy 17', Moisander 76'.
WALES LINE UP:
1. Wayne Hennessey (Wolves), 2. Chris Gunter (Nottm Forest), 3. Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur), 4. Ashley Williams (Swansea City), 5. James Collins (West Ham), 6. Lewin Nyatanga (Bristol City), 7. David Edwards (Wolves), 8. Craig Bellamy (Manchester City) (Capt), 9. Simon Church (Reading), 10. Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), 11. David Vaughan (Blackpool)
Subs: 12. Boaz Myhill (Hull City), 13. Neal Eardley (Blackpool), 14. Craig Morgan (Peterborough United), 15. Sam Vokes (Wolves).
updated: Saturday, 10th October 2009, 16:52 UK.
Joe Ledley is out with a hip injury. Danny Gabbidon is also ruled out due to a calf injury. Ched Evans has joined up with Under 21 squad. Sam Ricketts is also out with an ankle injury and has not travelled to Finland. David Cotterill is the latest player to withdraw, as he has been forced to return home due to personal family reasons. - "Losing Sam at the last moment is a real blow". - John Toshack. Rob Earnshaw is also out with a calf problem. "Earnie started training but failed to finish the session as he felt discomfort in a calf muscle". - John Toshack.
The rest of the squad trained at the Olympic Stadium, Helsinki on Friday morning.
Craig Bellamy has joined up with squad despite a sore knee, but did not train on Wednesday morning. Match referee is Milorad Mazic from Serbia. Wales will be in all Red.
Squad have meet up on Tuesday afternoon 6th October and will fly out to Helsinki on Thursday 8th October. Around 700 supporters ar expected to make the trip. Game LIVE on BBC 2 Wales with a 3pm kick off (UK time).
Revised Wales squad: (16 players)
Goalkeepers:
Wayne Hennessey  (Wolves), Boaz Myhill (Hull City), Lewis Price (loan Brentford).
Defenders:
Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur), James Collins (Aston Villa), Neal Eardley (Blackpool), Chris Gunter (Nottingham Forest), Craig Morgan (Peterborough United), Lewin Nyatanga (Bristol City), Ashley Williams (Swansea City).
Midfielders:
David Edwards (Wolves), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), David Vaughan (Blackpool).
Forwards:
Craig Bellamy (Manchester City), Simon Church (Reading), Sam Vokes (Wolves).
Those players marked with a have one yellow card in qualifying. If these players receive a yellow card against Finland, they will be suspended for the Liechtenstein game the following Wednesday.
John Toshack has named a 22 man squad for the final two World Cup qualifiers against Finland and Liechtenstein. Not available for selection due to injury are Jack Collison, Brian Stock and Simon Davies. There is a re-call for David Vaughan.
Original Wales squad:
Goalkeepers:
Wayne Hennessey (Wolves), Boaz Myhill (Hull City), Lewis Price (loan Brentford).
Defenders:
Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur), James Collins (Aston Villa), Neal Eardley (Blackpool), Danny Gabbidon (West Ham United), Chris Gunter (Nottingham Forest), Craig Morgan (Peterborough United), Lewin Nyatanga (Bristol City), Sam Ricketts (Bolton Wanderers), Ashley Williams (Swansea City).
Midfielders:
David Cotterill (Sheffield United), David Edwards (Wolves), Joe Ledley (Cardiff City), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), David Vaughan (Blackpool).
Forwards:
Craig Bellamy (Manchester City), Simon Church (Reading), Ched Evans (Sheffield United), Robert Earnshaw (Nottingham Forest), Sam Vokes (Wolves).
Those players marked with a have one yellow card. It is possible that two of the above squad who are eligible for the Under 21s will join that squad for the match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday 10th October in Wrexham, and then rejoin the senior squad for the match in Vaduz.
Wales travel to Helsinki to face Finland on Saturday October 10th in the penultimate World Cup qualifier. John Toshack is set to name the Wales squad on Friday 2nd October 2009 at around mid-day, match set to be shown LIVE on BBC Wales with a 3pm kick off (UK time).
On the same day Brian Flynn’s Under 21 side face Bosnia & Herzegovina at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham with the early kick off at 12:45pm, game LIVE on Sky Sports. | |
