FINLAND

Sunday 11th October 2009

Finland 2-1 Wales

Craig Bellamy created a piece of Wales football history for himself but could not inspire his side to a victory.

Bellamy's first-half equaliser was his 17th for his country and he is now Wales' fifth highest all-time scorer.

Finland led early on through Roni Porokara, and grabbed a late winner from defender Niklas Moisander as Wales let this game slip away from them with a disappointing second-half display.

And their problems for Wednesday's match in Liechtenstein were compounded by yellow cards for Bellamy and Wayne Hennessey that will see them banned from the final group match.

Wales were able to name only four substitutes because of their chronic injury problems.

The latest player to be struck down was Nottingham Forest forward Robert Earnshaw who was flown home on Friday evening after picking up a calf injury.

David Cotterill, whose wife is ill, had left on an earlier plane as Wales' problems reached epidemic proportions.

But it did mean that boss John Toshack was able to give Blackpool's David Vaughan his first start for Wales since August 2007, the left-sided midfielder improving encouragingly as the game progressed.

Gareth Bale returned from a knee injury for his first game since May for his country, while youngster Simon Church won his fourth cap alongside Craig Bellamy up front.

Finland were captained by former Liverpool man Sami Hyypia, winning his 102nd cap, Jari Litmanen reached 128 with former Charlton man Jonatan Johansson now on 99, and aiming for his century on Wednesday away to Germany.

All three are expected to retire from international football after that final group 4 match.