World Cup qualifier: FINLAND 2 WALES 1

There is good news ... Wales' wretched World Cup campaign is almost over. It ends on Wednesday in Liechenstein.

So much for the good news, the restof it is grim as they fell to their 6th defeat in 9 qualifiers - losing to all of the top 3 of Germany, Russia and Finland home and away guaranteeing 4th spot thanks to our ability to overcome those footballing power houses of Liechenstein and Azerbaijan.


The campaign reached a new low as Wales weren't even able to fill the subs bench and could only call on 4 replacements with the latest crop of injuries and withdrawals ... and retirements! Today's squad also go two lighter to Liechenstein as skipper Craig Bellamy and goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey both earned themselves 1 match bans for dissent ... tactical? Maybe not.

The game is not much to write home about so I'll keep it that way. It was men against boys, literally, as most of the Finns were over 30 while most of the Welsh won under 21 and experience won the day.

Wales made the worst possible start in sunny but chilly Helsinki's Olympic Stadium as Ashley Williams was turned inside the box, Hennessey saved a first shot but the rebound ran kindly for POROKARA who had the easy task of stroking home the follow up.

It looked set for a grim afternoon but Wales ralled and delighted the 1,000 travelling fans in the meagre corwd of 13,000 as Dave Edwards broke clear, squared the ball for CRAIG BELLAMY who beat the defence and finished with aplomb.

Wales were on top but there was no further first half scoring but it all seemed set up for them. However the second 45 minutes was grim football of the lowest order, truly dreadful watching.

When it came to the crunch, The Finns got stronger in the last 20 when you hope the youthfulness of our bouys would come through. Hennessey had to make two good saves but had no chance as a move broke in the box, the otherwise excellent James Collins missed a last ditch challenge and left back MOISANDER toe poked home.

In added time, Wales should have grabbed a draw as Vokes and Bellamy linked to send Dave Edwards racing clear on goal but his effort was straight at Jasskelainen.

Positives? It's the same as the good news ... the campaign is nearly over!