Wales wounded by Finland again
Saturday 10 October 2009
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Finland's Roni Porokara celebrates his winning goal against Wales (©Getty Images)
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Finland confirmed a third-place finish in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 4 by completing the double over Wales with a 2-1 victory in Helsinki.
Early goals
With Germany and Russia clear of the pack, Stuart Baxter's Finland knew a point at the Olympic Stadium would confirm their position above their opponents in the final standings with a match to spare. The hosts, 2-0 winners in Cardiff earlier in the campaign, made the perfect start when Roni Porokara turned in a loose ball after Wayne Hennessey had parried Jonathan Johansson's shot on five minutes, but the visitors levelled 12 minutes later when Craig Bellamy slid in to convert David Vaughan's cross. Wales, already guaranteed fourth spot in the section, pushed forward but were picked off on 77 minutes when Niklas Moisander poked in the winner.
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