The Finnish men’s national football team beat Wales 2–0 in the World Cup qualifier in 2009.
Thursday’s European Championship play-off match between Huhkaji and Wales has also been taken into account in the British Isles. The British broadcasting company BBC published on Monday of the articlewhich commemorated the countries’ World Cup qualifying match from 2009.
Finland’s “golden generation” won Jari Litmanen, Sami Hyypien and 2–0 in the match played in Wales under the leadership of the partners, but neither team ultimately made it to the finals of the World Cup.
The Welsh midfielder at the time by David Edwards according to the Wales national team in the early 2000s, it was “millions of miles away” from the current team, which is ranked 29th in the FIFA rankings.
15 years ago, the standings hovered around a hundred on both sides, and the national team’s home games were played to half-empty stands.
– It was a difficult time, but we had to endure that pain to get to the development that happened in our country’s football in the last decade, Edwards said.
Wales had practically lost their chance for the World Cup even before meeting Finland in 2009, but the country desperately needed a win against an opponent of approximately the same size.
However, Wales remained scoreless with 38-year-old Litmanen swinging the baton.
– Litmanen was almost 40 and ran the show completely. He was technically brilliant. I was 23 and I thought I could run around him all I wanted, but it was difficult when he put the ball out of reach on the first touch because he knew I was coming, Edwards recalled.
Litmanen controlled the midfield with his understanding of the game and his precise timing, although the pace was often something between a walk and a jog. In the BBC article, it is written that “Litti” could have played the entire 90 minutes without breaking a sweat wearing a party dress.
– Jari was excellent. I could not have asked for a more committed professional. He was a great personality and a high-quality professional, Finland’s coach at the time Stuart Baxter told the BBC.
Jonathan Johansson and Chef Kuqi Finnish goals were scored. Wales captain Graig Bellamy was disappointed after the defeat.
– They are not a good team. Johansson scored. I don’t know how. I don’t think he’s good enough to score goals, but we’re simply bad, Bellamy, who played for Manchester City, explained.
– We laughed at his comments on the bus. However, we won the match 2–0, Johansson acknowledged.
will follow the EC qualifying game Wales-Finland on Thursday on its website and will show the game live on TV2 and Areena. The broadcast starts at 21:00 in the advance studio. The game starts at 21:45.