| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY 00:17 - Aug 30 with 3517 views | NotLoyal |
It’s a friendly game between two countries who have agreed to play each other in a friendly manner. Yes, it’s the absolutely bloody useless international break where ridiculous games like this are played. Russell is happy though, the cleaners are in Fairwood with a block of soap on overtime, so let’s pretend we give two of those F’s about this game. Don’t expect this Matchday thread to be anything other than dog food.
Finland v Wales
Hellsinki Kitchen
Weds 1st September 2021
KO 5pm ( proving what a bag of pants this game is )
As we all know all Wales games are important apparently ... and only the people who rarely smile find time to criticise. But sod that, if we can’t laugh at ourselves who can we laugh at ? Sheepshagging idiots.
Finland facts
Finland is the happiest country in the world, so a few board members on here should give it a huge swerve. They also have some very decent extreme sports. Wife-carrying championships, Mosquito hunting competition, Mobile phone throwing, Swamp Football and Air Guitar. They love a laugh in Finland.
Wales history v Finland
Games won: 6
Games drawn: 4
Games lost: 4
First game : 26 May 1971: Finland v Wales won 0-1 UEFA European Championship
Last game : 18 Nov 2020: Wales v Finland won 3-1 UEFA Nations League
Both wins for Wales.
Match Report from FA Cymru
FINLAND 0-0 CYMRU
International Challenge Match
Wednesday, 1 September 2021
Cymru were held to a 0-0 draw against Finland in Helsinki on a night where Rob Page's side were left frustrated having created the much better chances on goal while Harry Wilson was denied from the penalty spot in the opening half.
Cymru made a positive start to the match and inside the opening few minutes Ethan Ampadu headed a free-kick from Dylan Levitt over the bar. Wilson then showed his confidence on the ball as he made darting run through the Finnish defence before his shot was blocked after seven minutes.
Finland soon settled into the game, and as they retained the ball for longer periods, so Cymru retreated to two deeper defensive lines but remained dangerous on the counter-attack. Fredrik Jensen had an effort from range blocked for the home side in what was a rare chance on goal, but captain Danny Ward remained untroubled as Cymru remained disciplined and organised at the back.
The big talking point of the opening half arrived on 24 minutes when Brennan Johnson was brought down in the area by Niko Hämäläinen after beating the defender for pace. Wilson stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick, but goalkeeper Carljohan Eriksson palmed away his effort on his international debut as the game remained goalless at half-time.
Finland made a strong start to the second half, with substitute Urho Nissilä making a positive impression on his international debut in the early exchanges as his effort was deflected for a corner on 50 minutes. It marked the start of a period of pressure for the home side, but it was Cymru who came close to opening the scoring on 55 minutes when Wilson was again denied by Eriksson as the keeper turned away his free-kick.
An impressive run from Matthew Smith from the left on the hour mark almost brought the first goal of the game but the midfielder's shot went narrowly wide of the post. Substitute Rubin Colwill also tried his luck on 78 minutes after he replaced the impressive Johnson, and almost converted a cross from Wilson on 81 minutes but his effort went narrowly wide.
Gareth Bale replaced Roberts for the final few minutes to make his 97th international appearance and had a couple of half-chances to find the decisive goal, but it remained goalless as referee Kristo Tohver brought matters to a close, leaving Cymru the more frustrated of the two teams having created the better chances over the course of the match.
Match fitness — With Ethan Ampadu and Tyler Roberts two of the players unable to travel to Kazan for the match against Belarus due to visa issues, Rob Page used the opportunity to start both players and with it give them some much-needed minutes on the field ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Estonia next Wednesday. The requirement to play a friendly ahead of two important qualifiers has been criticised, but Page has used it to his advantage in the case of Ampadu and Roberts at least.
The new attacking trio — The experimental starting line-up provided a new attacking trio in the shape of Tyler Roberts, Harry Wilson and Brennan Johnson, who made his first start for his country. The 20-year old made a positive impression with his pace earning Cymru their opening half penalty. In addition, Roberts and Wilson combined well in the final third, and both played with an attacking confidence that suggested that they were embracing the rare opportunity to play together in their respective roles.
Experimental experience — During the course of the last twelve months Cymru have regularly switched between playing with a back three and a back four, while other tactical variations further up the field have been made to accommodate players and to react to the unavailability of others. This necessity to adapt from game to game has made the side incredibly versatile and there is an ability within the group to react easily to such change. But there are as many benefits in the personnel changes to the tactical alterations, and the excellent performance from midfielder Matthew Smith on his 15th cap was a good example of how these opportunities can really be taken advantage of.
No more to follow, BORING !
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| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 14:16 - Aug 31 with 1374 views | Chief |
| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 14:05 - Aug 31 by ReslovenSwan1 |
Tyler Roberts has let Cymru down again. Why did Ampadu and Roberts T not get their Visas?. It easy to let that appointment slip you mind when there is a 6 hour plane flight to deepest Russia. Both of them cannot be allowed to cherry pick. |
What is the story behind them not getting visas then? |  |
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| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 14:16 - Aug 31 with 1356 views | onehunglow |
| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 13:25 - Aug 31 by ReslovenSwan1 |
Posters should give their opinions and not impose their view on other people. You do not speak for the average fan.
I love the Welsh team and so do many Swansea fans. I have no interest in other international teams but like to See Swansea players do well. Connor Roberts has earned a Premier league opportunity based on his Euro 2020 performance and Swansea will get their cut. Rodon was sold as an international footballer. |
And neither do you but I do speak for those who are put off by stating how they feel on forums. |  |
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| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 15:41 - Aug 31 with 1321 views | ReslovenSwan1 |
| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 14:16 - Aug 31 by Chief |
What is the story behind them not getting visas then? |
Flight to far flung place in eastern Europe with 6 hour flights can be a bit of a chore for those lacking commitment. Ryan Hedges pulled out of an U21 game in Armenia a few years ago and is still wondering why he cannot get back into the Welsh squad.
The BBC quote this. "The FAW says Ampadu, Cooper and Roberts were unable to get Russian visa approval in time before travelling to Finland for the warm-up game." Brandon Cooper was a late call up. It was down to the pair. Everyone else did it.
Ampadu and Roberts T did not do the due diligence required by the looks of it. Bale and Joey Allen had no problems. This is why perhaps nether have kicked on their careers as expected. Wales must do without them in the least appealing game which will be difficult and uncomfortable. I would not be impressed if I was Page. It looks as if he might excuse them which is weak in my view. Cherry picking player are no use to Wales. |  |
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| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 16:35 - Aug 31 with 1303 views | ReslovenSwan1 |
We have a whinger in control of the national team that thinks he can chose where Wales play their away games.
Page said this.
“I want to thank the players for showing their commitment to going out and inconveniencing them and the clubs, the clubs supported us in the main and allowed the players to leave to get their visas and hand their passports over.
“It coincides with the window closing today, so there are a lot of players reluctant to give their passports away because they might need to use it to get a move. And I want my young players playing football week in week out so it’s such a difficult situation not just for us but for the players as well.
"They are in a right quandary because they want to go out and play domestic football whether that is in England or abroad and to do that they need their passports but then we have to go and get visas and give their passports away four days prior to meeting up." | |
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| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 07:23 - Sep 1 with 1215 views | YrAlarch |
| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 14:20 - Aug 30 by ReslovenSwan1 |
Playing football is a job of work. If my boss sends me t Cornwall I go to Cornwall and I do not complain about it. These guys are well rewarded. Wales matches are always important and Bale turns up every time if fit. Ampadu and Tyler Roberts have some expalining to do I suspect.
Tyler Roberts and Ethan Amadu cannot go to Russia as they have no Visa. Page should be absolutely furious with them as they "could not attend" their visa meeting.
I assume this is attending the Russian Consulate probably in London at a prescribed time. Perhaps the could not be arsed for a 5 hour flight to Kazan. I would sack them. Roberts has already falling foul of discipline issues.
The scourge of lack of commitment cannot be allowed to come back into Welsh football. |
Your last sentence is spot on Resloven. It is also particularly galling for those supporters who travel from all parts of the country, and at great expense, to watch their National team, only to find that a number of players can't be bothered. | | | |
| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 12:45 - Sep 1 with 1172 views | pencoedjack |
| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 14:29 - Aug 30 by ReslovenSwan1 |
Do not bother posting your negativity Not Loyal. All Wales games count. Footballer are paid to work and not cherry pick their tasks. If you do not want to play for Wales retire from international footbsll and stopl wasting peoples time.
Ampadu and T Roberts failed to attend the visa application meeting. Do not blame the Russians. Ampadu lives in London. |
The only decent thing about this international break is it gives RM more time to work with the Swans players.
Club over country all day long, keep up the good work NL. |  | | |
| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 13:09 - Sep 1 with 1163 views | Chief |
Difficult starting line up to predict this | |
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| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 16:00 - Sep 1 with 1113 views | Badlands |
The team could have avoided travelling to Russia. |  |
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| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 16:20 - Sep 1 with 1095 views | Chief |
| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 16:00 - Sep 1 by Badlands |
The team could have avoided travelling to Russia. |
How? | |
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| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 19:11 - Sep 1 with 1027 views | ReslovenSwan1 |
Some nice passing movement but no end product. Smith the man of the match. He is developing nicely. Wilson is infuriating at times. His passing accuracy is poor and Wales had numerous opportunities to break but messed them all up.
Colwill could have had a couple had he gambled into the 6 yard box. Tyler Roberts does not seem to be improving much under Bielsa. | |
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| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 21:16 - Sep 1 with 969 views | Badlands |
| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 16:20 - Sep 1 by Chief |
How? |
Fly direct to Helsinki. | |
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| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 21:55 - Sep 1 with 945 views | majorraglan |
I read somewhere there were issues with Ampadu’s passport, possibly related to the fact he was being loaned to an Italian team and there were EU visa issues to address.
Further to the Chiefs post earlier, I just looked up Kazan on a map as I had no idea where in Russia it was, seems it’s 700k further East that Moscow. Why on earth have UEFA done that? It’s much more difficult for both teams, but far harder on us. Why not St Petersburg or Moscow or a host of smaller cities. Terrible decision. | | | |
| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 07:08 - Sep 2 with 861 views | Chief |
| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 21:16 - Sep 1 by Badlands |
Fly direct to Helsinki. |
How does that avoid travelling to Russia? They've got to go there to play Belarus? | |
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| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 09:42 - Sep 2 with 815 views | Badlands |
| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 07:08 - Sep 2 by Chief |
How does that avoid travelling to Russia? They've got to go there to play Belarus? |
Sorry I thought the issue was related to the Finland friendly.
As the flight ban over Belarus is a UK decision I suppose Belarus (even more of a puppet of Russia than Wales is to England) got to pick a venue.
One thing is for sure, given Page's very direct criticism of all things UEFA we won't get many 50:50s going our way. [Post edited 2 Sep 2021 9:52]
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| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 16:41 - Sep 2 with 727 views | ReslovenSwan1 |
| Finland v Wales : Matchday Thread FRIENDLY on 21:55 - Sep 1 by majorraglan |
I read somewhere there were issues with Ampadu’s passport, possibly related to the fact he was being loaned to an Italian team and there were EU visa issues to address.
Further to the Chiefs post earlier, I just looked up Kazan on a map as I had no idea where in Russia it was, seems it’s 700k further East that Moscow. Why on earth have UEFA done that? It’s much more difficult for both teams, but far harder on us. Why not St Petersburg or Moscow or a host of smaller cities. Terrible decision. |
Ampadu had to hand his passport in for four days apparently. I do not see how this affects his transfer to Venezia as long as he has taken a photocopy. Given that it is a FIFA tournament I m sure exemptions could be made if it was a problem. Extenuating circumstances.
Welsh people have no right to decide or comment on where Belarus FA play their games. Wales could be playing Russia. | |
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