Finns up and running
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Article summary
Belgium 0-3 Finland UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ semi-finalists Finland got their campaign off to a sterling start.
Article body
Finland made a convincing start to their bid to reach the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup by defeating Belgium 3-0 in Strombeek-Bever.
Experienced team
Coach Michael Käld fielded eight of the team which started the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ semi-final defeat by Germany, and that experience proved too much for the Red Devils to contain. The visitors were in front as early as the third minute with winger Heidi Kackur scoring Finland's first qualifying goal.
Chief contenders
Laura Kalmari, Finland's tall striker, doubled the advantage on the stroke of half-time and Minna Mustonen completed the scoring in the 64th minute. The win enabled the Finns to join Denmark - their chief contenders for top spot in the pool - on three points ahead of their next outing against Poland on 24 September.