FT: Finland 2 Wales 1

Last updated: 10th October 2009  

FT: Finland 2 Wales 1

Full Time90 The referee blows his whistle for full-time. Finland have beaten Wales 2-1 and they deserve the three points after a poor second half display from John Toshack's side. Bellamy and Church impressed in the opening period but there was no attacking threat after the break.

Substitution90 Alexei Eremenko comes on to take the place of the impressive Litmanen.

90 Edwards runs through one-on-one with Jaaskelainen but the Finland goalkeeper does well to produce a strong save with his legs. That could be Wales' last chance to equalise.

90 There will be two minutes of additional time.

89 Kuqi sees a chance to quickly score disappear as Litmanen's cross from the left is headed away from the Finland sub by Williams.

Substitution88 Finland make their second change with Kuqi taking the place of Johansson.

87 Hyypia wins a free-kick on the edge of the Finland box as he falls to the ground under Vokes' challenge.

Yellow Card86 Pasanen is booked by the referee for a foul on Bale and he will miss Finland's clash against Germany on Wednesday.

85 The resulting corner from Finland is cleared to Hamalainen on the edge of the box and the midfielder fires home. However, the referee has already awarded a free-kick to Wales.

84 Sparv's superb swerving cross is headed behind for a corner by Eardley with Litmanen in space behind the Wales defender.

Substitution83 Wales make their second change of the night with Eardley taking the place of Nyatanga.

82 Wales have an appeal for a free-kick turned down as Pasanen knocks Edwards to the ground as the visitors look to create a good attacking position.

81 Litmanen's corner sees Tihinen miss out with a free header from eight yards as he can only flick the ball away from danger.

80 Hamalainen wins a corner as his cross from the left deflects behind off Collins.

79 Wales will need to get Bellamy more involved in their push for an equaliser. It has been pace that has caused problems for Finland all game.

78 It was poor defending from Collins to allow Moisander to get into a shooting position. He shoud have ushered the Finland defender away from danger.

Goal77 GOAL MOISANDER! Moisander jinks his way into the Wales penalty area and pokes the ball away from Hennessey from the left hand side of the six-yard box. Great goal from the Finland defender.

75 Not much action at the moment. Both sides look happy in possession but there is no real atmosphere at the ground and Wales are not looking as dangerous in attack.

73 Collins manages to scramble clear the resulting corner from Finland as the poor quality of set-pieces from both sides continues.

Yellow Card72 Hennessey is booked after showing his anger at the incorrect decision to give a corner to Finland. He will miss Wednesday night's against Liechtenstein.

71 Hennessey makes a great save to turn Hamalainen's half-volley from 12 yards behind for corner. The resulting flag-kick is poor from Finland.

70 Hamalainen's cross from the right is headed clear by Williams as Finland look to pose questions from wide areas.

69 Johansson sends a weak effort straight at Hennessey after he takes control of Litmanen's neat pass.

Substitution68 Finland make their first change with Hamalainen taking the place of Kolkka.

67 Hyypia does well to knock the ball away from Vokes as the game is played in the Finland half.

66 Jaaskelainen slips in his penalty area but, luckily for the Finland goalkeeper, Vokes has turned his back on the ball and he is able to clear the danger.

65 Vokes is caught offside as he tries to reach Bale's cross from the left. Wales continue to be the more dangerous side.

64 The slow period in this game continues. Wales are seeing more of the ball and they will hope Bellamy can break behind the Finland defence.

63 Bale loses the ball on the left flank as he is stopped by a strong challenge from Pasanen.

Substitution62 Wales make their first change of the match with Sam Vokes taking the place of Church. Promising display from the Reading youngster.

61 Slow period in the game again as Finland keep possession at the back. The floodlights are now on and it is getting colder so hopefully the action will improve on the field.

60 Bale's corner from the right is headed away from the centre of the six-yard box by Moisander. Wales need to pose more questions from their set-pieces.

59 Litmanen takes a free-kick from 30 yards too quickly and the ball races away from Hyypia and out of play for a goal-kick.

58 Collins does well to halt Porokara's run as the Finland midfielder looks to bundle his way into the Wales box. Not as much entertainment in this half but both sides still look capable of creating some attacks.

57 Bale sends a long ball looping out of play for a Finland throw-in deep in their own half.

56 Litmanen's corner from the left is cleared to Porokara on the edge of the box but the Finland midfielder can only send his volley looping high over the bar.

55 Gunter concedes a corner as he halts Litmanen on the left flank.

54 Bale's cross from the right is punched away from his six-yard box by Jaaskelainen. Even start to the half.

53 Williams does well to stop Johansson reaching Pasanen's through ball as Finland continue to slow the tempo of this game right down when they are in possession.

52 Gunter cuts in from the right but his run forward is halted by a strong challenge from Moisander.

51 Kolkka's corner from the right is headed towards goal by Litmanen. Hennessey wins a free-kick as he is challenged by Hyypia while collecting the ball.

50 Bellamy is back on the field as Collins wins a free-kick for Wales following a poor challenge from Litmanen.

Yellow Card49 Bellamy has also been booked for showing his frustration to the referee. He will now miss Wednesday night's clash against Liechtenstein.

Yellow Card48 We have a break in play at the moment as Bellamy receives some treatment. The striker was caught by a clumsy challenge from Tihinen and the Finland defender is rightly booked.

47 Quiet start to this half as Wales still keep possession in their own half.

46 The second half is under way with Wales keeping the ball early on.

The Finland players are back on the pitch as we get closer to the start of the second half.

What are your thoughts on the match so far? Should Ramsey take a more attacking role for Wales? Will pace provide the away side with the three points today? Let me know at nick.hext@bskyb.com.

Sky Bet Finland are 6/4 to win this match with our friends at Sky Bet, Wales are 11/4 and you can back the draw at 5/4. Gareth Bale looks decent value at 22/1 to be the next goalscorer.

Half TimeHT The referee blows his whistle for half-time. Wales will be pleased with how they have bounced back after falling 1-0 behind. Bellamy and Church are causing plenty of problems for Finland but the away side will hope Ramsey can become more involved after the break.

45 There will be one minute of additional time.

44 Sparv sees his effort from 25 yards gathered at the second attempt by Hennessey. No surprise that it was Litmanen who set up that chance.

43 Jaaskelainen collects Edwards' through ball ahead of Bellamy as Wales' pace continues to create problems for Finland.

42 Good work from Collins as he blocks Johansson's effort from just inside the Wales box. The veteran striker is causing a few problems for the away side.

41 Bale's cross from the right flank is headed clear by Hyypia as the Finland defence continue to deal with aerial balls.

40 Finland work a nice attacking move as Litmanen sends a neat pass to Eremenko and the midfielder powers a rising shot over the bar.

39 Moisander wastes a good attacking chance down the right flank as he sends his cross straight out of play for a goal-kick.

38 It is another spell of sustained possession for Finland but once again Wales look happy to keep men behind the ball.

37 Eremenko's cross from the right is headed clear by Collins. The Wales defence continue to look solid after Finland's early goal.

36 Church fails to make proper contact with Bale's cross from the left as he can only send his header to the other side of the penalty area.

35 Hyypia sends a through ball that races straight through to Hennessey.

34 Bellamy is caught offside again as he looks to reach Bale's through ball. It looks like there wasn't much in that decision.

33 Johansson is caught offside as he looks to find space behind the Wales defence. Good play from Williams to step up.

32 Johansson's cross from the right is half-cleared by Collins and Williams is able to stop any more problems with a commanding clearance. Litmanen is still the main danger for Wales as he sets up attacking opportunities.

31 Wales will be delighted with how they have bounced back after Finland's early goal. They deserve to be level and their pace is causing the hosts plenty of problems in defence.

30 Hennessey does well to flick the ball up and play a neat pass to Williams as he is put under pressure by Johansson.

29 Bellamy wastes the chance as he sends the free-kick well wide of Jaaskeelainen's left hand post.

28 Free-kick to Wales in a dangerous position and it looks like Bellamy could shoot.

27 Edwards' cross from the right evades everyone in the Finland box and Pasanen is able to bring the ball forward from the opposite flank.

26 Church is unhappy as he feels Bellamy should have squared the ball to him. A bit harsh from the youngster as Bellamy was in a great position.

25 Bellamy wastes a great chance for Wales as he fires the ball straight at Jaaskelainen when through one-on-one with the Finland goalkeeper.

24 A period of slow tempo again as Finland keep the ball. Wales are looking a bit more secure in defence as they get plenty of men behind the ball.

23 Bellamy is having a few words with Tihinen after he is bundled to the ground by the Finland defender. Free-kick to Wales.

22 Church fails to beat Hyypia in a sprint for the ball down the right flank as the Finland defender ushers the ball behind for a goal-kick.

21 Johansson is caught offside after another sustained period of Finland possession. The hosts are seeing more of the ball but Wales look dangerous when they attack at speed.

20 Bale and Bellamy are unhappy with each other after the striker is caught offside as he looks to collect a return pass. Poor play from Wales.

19 Kolkka's corner from the right is turned over the top of the bar by a strong header from Pasanen. Good effort from the Finland defender.

18 Wales should be delighted with that goal. Vaughan did really well on the left flank and produced a cross of real quality.

Goal17 GOAL BELLAMY! Vaughan storms down the left flank and sees his superb cross turned home by a sliding prod from Bellamy from eight yards. Great move from Wales to produce an equaliser.

16 Sparv concedes a free-kick as he challenges unfairly with Nyatanga while looking to reach Litmanen's corner from the left.

15 Collins put Kolkka under pressure and forces the Finland winger to put the ball out of play for a Wales throw-in. The away side are starting to trouble the hosts a bit more.

14 Collins' long ball forward evades Bellamy and races through to Jaaskelainen on the right hand side of his penalty area.

13 Litmanen and Johansson fail to work a neat one-two on the edge of the box and Collins is able to scramble the ball clear.

12 Church fails to read Bale's through ball and Jaaskelainen is able to race out of his goal and collect possession. Decent few minutes for Wales.

11 The tempo of this match, like so many internationals, is slow at the moment but the quality of Litmanen is lighting up the contest.

10 Church is caught offside as he looks to take control of Bellamy's through ball. First decent attacking move from Wales.

9 Bale is back on his feet after receiving treatment and he should be fine to continue.

8 Bale wins a free-kick deep in the Wales half as he falls to the ground under Porokara's challenge. He is now receiving treatment.

7 Kolkka sees his effort from the edge of the Wales box blocked by Williams as Finland continue to impress. Litmanen is pulling the strings for the hosts.

6 Finland have dominated in the early stages of this match. They are keeping the ball with ease and look untroubled by Wales' attack.

Goal5 GOAL POROKARA! Johansson pokes the ball away from, Williams and sees his weak effort parried by Hennessey. Porokara takes control of the rebound and turns his shot into the empty net from eight yards. Finland lead 1-0.

4 Eremenko makes some space 30 yards from the Wales goal and fires a wild effort wide of Hennessey's left hand post.

3 Finland are keeping the ball with ease on the halfway line as Wales keep plenty of men in defence.

2 Ramsey wins an early free-kick for Wales as he is bundled to the ground by Sparv.

1 The action is under way and we don't have too big a crowd in for this match. Wales keep the ball early on.

The players are out on the pitch as we get ready for the national anthems.

How do you see this panning out? Let me know your thoughts with an email to nick.hext@bskyb.com.

Sky Bet Our friends at Sky Bet go 4/5 the home win with the draw a 12/5 shot and the Wales victory 7/2.

As you'll have seen, Wales' chronic injury problems mean they name only four substitutes. Striker Robert Earnshaw flew home yesterday evening after picking up a calf injury, meaning John Toshack gives Blackpool's David Vaughan his first start for Wales since August 2007. Gareth Bale returns from knee trouble for his first game since May for his country, while youngster Simon Church wins his fourth cap alongside Craig Bellamy up front. Finland are captained by former Liverpool man Sami Hyypia - winning his 102nd cap - and also include veterans Jari Litmanen (128 caps) and Jonatan Johansson (99 caps).

Our referee is Milorad Mazic from Serbia.

Wales: Hennessey, Gunter, Williams, Nyatanga, Collins, Bale, Edwards, Ramsey, Vaughan, Bellamy, Church. Subs: Myhill, Eardley, Morgan, Vokes.

The teams are in. Finland: Jaaskelainen, Pasanen, Hyypia, Tihinen, Moisander, Roman Eremenko, Litmanen, Kolkka, Sparv, Johansson, Porokara. Subs: Fredrikson, Aleksei Eremenko, Hetemaj, Vuorinen, Lampi, Hamalainen, Kuqi.

Welcome to our coverage of this World Cup European Qualifying Group Four game.