Finnish results in the Middle East

urtel · Mar 18, 2005

Finland's young inexperienced team earnt a 1-0 win in the first match of their short Middle East tour againsty Kuwait. Birmingham City prospect Njazi Kuqi scored the goal in the first half in a match which was hampered by torrential rain. Mikko Kaven's goal was threatened in the fourth minute, but Kuwait created little to bother Tampere's goalkeeper.
Finland took the lead in the 16th minute when Njazi Kuqi got past Kuwait's defence despite their protests and slotted the ball into the net for his first senior international goal on his debut appearance. In the 20th minute Finland's veteran midfielder Jarkko Wiss shot a free kick just slightly over the crossbar.

Minutes later another debutant didn't have such a fortunate start to his international career as Kuqi, Jani Sarajärvi of AC Allianssi had to leave the field with a head injury. Tumo Könönen replaced him.

Towards the end of the half Finland continued to dominate, Mikko Hyyrynen received captain Mika Nurmela's through pass from the right, but the goalkeeper saved his shot. In the 42nd minute Kuqi almost grabbed his second, his shot hit the crossbar and rebounded back into play. Finland continued to dominate in the second half, but did not add to their one goal. Finland will face Saudi Arabia on Friday (18:03:05).
Finland manager Antti Muurinen was satisfied with his young team's performance. "That was a really mature performance from a very young team. The team was strong willed and fought hard for every ball". The pitch became difficult to play on after torrential rain, but Muurinen continued in his praise "The whole team played a really good match and was especially excellent in the first half taking into consideration the circumstances. The second half was a bit more difficult for us, but the defence worked well" Muurinen also spoke about Njazi Kuqi's first goal for Finland. "I must of course mention Njazi Kuqi's goal. He got a great pass from Henri Scheweleff and he took his opportunity in the way we hoped for".

Finland: Mikko Kavén; Ari Nyman (82. Sampsa Timoska); Toni Kuivasto; Jukka Sauso; Jani Sarajärvi (21. Tuomo Könönen); Mika Nurmela (capt) (Yellow card); Jari Ilola (89. Fredrik Nordback); Jarkko Wiss ; Henri Scheweleff (69. Niklas Tarvajärvi); Mikko Hyyrynen (61. Keijo Huusko); Njazi Kuqi (84. Jarno Heinikangas)
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Since Muurinen has been using the younger, Veikkausliiga players, Suomi has been winning these tours and tournaments! Maybe he'll use a squad like this against the Czech Republic, but I truly doubt it.

And does anyone remember when Norway played Kuwait and they played on 3 centimetres of water? Same thing in this game.

Bruiser · Mar 19, 2005

urtel said:

And does anyone remember when Norway played Kuwait and they played on 3 centimetres of water? Same thing in this game.
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Remember? I'm trying to forget! The only positive thing from that match was Raymond Kvisvik's lob into the corner from outside the box. That was najs.

urtel · Mar 19, 2005

To be honest, I don't know why anyone would play there, especially during monsoon season.

ZeekLTK · Mar 19, 2005

Finland dropped Saudi Arabia 4-1 yesterday.

urtel · Mar 19, 2005

I am patiently waiting for the English translation at www.finland-football.net. My Finnish is rough and I don't want to look like an ass and try to translate it.

ilbaasha · Mar 23, 2005

Bruiser said:

Remember? I'm trying to forget! The only positive thing from that match was Raymond Kvisvik's lob into the corner from outside the box. That was najs.
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I agree... why is it only when we play a Scandanavian team, it rains?!? can you bring snow next time... and make our desert men happy

Bruiser · Mar 23, 2005

I'm not even sure there will BE a next time

Btw, won't snow kill your camels or something?

ilbaasha · Mar 23, 2005

Bruiser said:

won't snow kill your camels or something?
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do you think that'll work we'll kill them all, and see what happens from there... thanks for the advise mate

urtel · Mar 23, 2005

Saudi-arabia 1 Finland 4

Antti Muurinen's Finland side recorded their second victory on their Middle East tour, comfortably defeating Saudi Arabia in Damman. An experimental Finland side took an early lead as Djurgårdens IF centre-back Toni Kuivasto headed in from a corner by Mika Nurmela, It was Kuivasto's first international goal. But for the most of the first half the hosts dominated the match. However, it was not until three minutes into the second period that Saudi Arabia drew level, striker Al Basha racing clear of Finnish defence and placing his shot past goalkeeper Henri Sillanpää.

Finland made two important substitutions, Njazi Kuqi and Henri Scheweleff were introduced and had a major impact. Finland regained the lead in a decisive spell around the 70-minute mark. Henri Scheweleff's cross from the right was converted by Birmingham City FC striker Njazi Kuqi. Manager,Antti Muurinen, remarked after the match that the young pair are very near to becoming A team players in the future. Mika Nurmela, who plays his club football with 1. FC Kaiserslautern then added a free kick from 25 metres in the 75th minute.

Just three minutes later Finland extended their lead, when Kuqi scored his third goal of the tour and put Finland 4-1 up. Toni Kuivasto conceeded a late penalty, however the excellent Sillanpää saved to compound Saudi Arabia's miserable day.

"We had some difficult moments, but our team play worked excellently," said Muurinen. "Every player gave his best, particularly from a defensive point of view. This was a good result and a good tour. Perhaps three or four players from this tour will also join the squad which will meet Czech Republic next week."

Finland: Henri Sillanpää; Ari Nyman (88. Mikko Hyyrynen); Toni Kuivasto (yellow card); Sampsa Timoska (74. Jukka Sauso); Tuomo Könönen; Fredrik Nordback (53. Jarkko Wiss); Jari Ilola; Jarno Heinikangas; Mika Nurmela; Niklas Tarvajärvi (46. Henri Scheweleff); Keijo Huusko (46. Njazi Kuqi (yellow card))
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A really good show for the Finns, Sillanpää and the young defense did better than expected!

ilbaasha · Mar 23, 2005

Re: Saudi-arabia 1 Finland 4

urtel said:

A really good show for the Finns, Sillanpää and the young defense did better than expected!
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good news for Kuwait

urtel · Mar 24, 2005

Re: Saudi-arabia 1 Finland 4

ilbaasha said:

good news for Kuwait
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How's that?

ilbaasha · Mar 24, 2005

Re: Saudi-arabia 1 Finland 4

urtel said:

How's that?
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I was referring for the quote in your post... we have to play Saudi Arabia in the Asian WCQs next week... so if Finland won 1-0 against Kuwait, and 4-1 against KSA... does that make Kuwait in position of winning 3-0?!

Answer: no! 2-0 only

ZeekLTK · Mar 24, 2005

Re: Saudi-arabia 1 Finland 4

I already posted that score like a week ago. :/

Thanks for the article in English though.

urtel · Mar 24, 2005

Re: Saudi-arabia 1 Finland 4

Oh, no bother.

I am very disappointed in Antti Muurinen, because of his call-ups for the game against the Czech Republic...

The Finnish FA have announced the squad that will travel to the Czech Republic for Saturday's World Cup Qualifier. Finland have midfield with SC Heerenveen's Mika Väyrynen (suspended) and AJ Auxerre's Teemu Tainio (slight groin injury) the most notable of the absentees. Coach Antti Muurinen has named a 19-man squad for the Group 1 game. Jarkko Wiss who was recalled for Finland's successful tour of the Middle East retains his place in the squad.
Muurinen said: "I have many times dreamed of playing Teemu Tainio, Mika Väyrynen and Jari Litmanen at the same time. We knew Väyrynen will be out and unfortunately also Tainio is now injured. This leaves a gap in our midfield which will be difficult to fill. We have capable players, but they are a little bit different from both Tainio and Väyrynen."

Finland squad
Jussi Jääskeläinen, Bolton Wanderers FC
Antti Niemi, Southampton FC
Mikko Kaven, Tampere Utd
Toni Kuivasto, Djurgårdens IF
Sami Hyypiä, Liverpool FC
Petri Pasanen, Werder Bremen
Hannu Tihinen, RSC Anderlecht
Hannu Haarala, SC Heerenveen
Mika Nurmela, 1.FC Kaiserslautern
Alexei Eremenko Jr., US Lecce
Peter Kopteff, Viking Stavanger FK
Joonas Kolkka, Crystal Palace FC
Jari Litmanen, FC Hansa Rostock
Aki Riihilahti, Crystal Palace FC
Jonatan Johansson, Charlton Athletic
Jarkko Wiss, Tampere United
Shefki Kuqi, Ipswich Town FC
Jari Ilola, IF Elfsborg
Pekka Lagerblom, 1.FC Nürnberg
Paulus Roiha, Cercle Brügge KSV
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A very defensive line-up to say the least!