Group 2: Crucial win for Finland
Sunday, May 5, 2002
Article summary
Finland defeated Switzerland 1-0 to boost their hopes of avoiding a promotion/relegation play-off.
Article body
Finland crucially defeated Switzerland 1-0 at the Pohjola stadium today to boost their hopes of avoiding a UEFA Women's Championship promotion/relegation play-off with the winners of Group 6.
Slippery conditions
Finland dominated the match, played on a slippery pitch in Vantaalla, but only had Mina Mustonnen's 64th-minute goal to show for their efforts. The victory sees Finland move level with the Swiss on three points, although they stay below them on goal difference.
'Finland deserved to win'
Jozef Leuzinger, the Switzerland coach, said: "If I am honest I must say that Finland deserved to win the game. They pressed a lot and deserved to win by more than one goal. I expected the game to be more even but our attacking game was not working."
Coach confident
His opposite number, Mikael Käld, is confident Finland can take a point from their two remaining games, against Denmark away and Sweden at home. He believes that will be enough to finish above Switzerland, whose remaining game is in Stockholm on Wednesday.