Determined Finland see off Slovakia
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Article summary
Finland 4-3 Slovakia A late winner gives ten-man Finland a dramatic Under-21 victory in their Cyprus friendly.
Article body
Finland 4-3 Slovakia
First-half goals
It took just eleven seconds for Toni Lehtinen to give Finland the lead and on 21 minutes the same player struck again. Miloš Brezinský pulled one back just after the half-hour for Slovakia - who drew 0-0 with Romania on Tuesday in another Cypriot-hosted friendly in Larnaca - but four minutes from the break Petri Oravainen converted a penalty to make it 3-1 to Finland.
Ten men prevail
However, Slovakia reduced the deficit 12 seconds into the second half when Ivan Lietava found the net and in the 71st minute Blažej Vašcák equalised. It seemed events were conspiring against Finland eleven minutes before the end as Ari Nyman was dismissed for a second bookable offence, but three minutes later Scheweleff claimed what proved the decisive goal.
Qualifying tests
The win gives Finland hope of improving on their current UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 1 position of fifth when they visit the Czech Republic on 25 March, while Slovakia, third in Group 3, travel to Estonia the same day.
