Finland U16

I was watching the youngest talents available last night Eerikkilä Sports Academy when Finnish under 16 (born after 1.1.1993) met their Russian age comrades.

No reason to start another topic for the second match is there? Finland won 2-1 (0-0) after being more efficient in front of the goal in a very even game against the mighty Russia. Goals were scored by the skilful Seferi and very hard-working super-sub Kastrati.

The lineup:

gk Atte Ranta, HIFK
ld Astrit Kabashi, Honka
cd Jussi Perttula, MyPa
cd Aapi Helvelahti, Fuengirola Los Boliches

rd Miikka Salonen, HyPS

mf Jani Jokinen, Honka

mf Joni Mäkelä, OLS -> 41’ Kastriot Kastrati, HJK
mf Kasperi Heinonen, Reipas -> 55’ Kevin Peth, FF Kraft
mf Valmir Seferi, Honka

striker/winger Henri Salminen, Ilves -> 27’ Antti Mäkijärvi, Honka

striker Nikolai Alho, HJK -> 80’ Patrick O’Shaughnessy, HJK
As the names might tell, Finland is finally a multicultural country and having an exotic name, a slightly more tanned skin or parents from another world is hardly exotic anymore.

Edited 28.2.2009/airport


It was a friendly and played indoors but it did give something to think about.
Kevin Peth was playing as a lone striker and because of lack of creativity from the midfield he was not able to show much. Industrious performance, not world class though. The jury is still out there.

Midfielders Alho and specially Seferi formed perhaps the best duo of Finnish players, Seferi looked dangerous at all times and Alho was a calming element. Mäkijärvi was a bit too shy and weak in this performance.

Kevin Peth (Henri Salminen)

Nikolai Alho+ – Valmir Seferi ++ –Antti Mäkijärvi
(Kasperi Heinonen) (Kevin Ingoli)

Jani Jokinen – Kastriot Kastrati
(Joni Mäkelä)


Jani Jokinen was one of the most influential players involving himself also in the dirty work. Unfortunately I can not remember Kastrati at all, but I have drawn a long minus under his name.

Left defender D O´Shaughnessy got injured early in the game and was replaced by Perttula who did an ok job. Patrick O´ seemed comfortable with the ball but maybe the Russians were a tad too fast for him? A positive performance anyhow. Latosaari from FC Haka also did well where as right defender Miikka Salonen seemed to have too many problems with the undoubtfully skilful and fast russian forwards.


D. O’Shaughnessy – M-P Latosaari – P. O’Shaughnessy - Miikka Salonen
( Jussi Perttula) (Aapi Helvelahti)

The goalkeeper can hardly be blamed of any the 3 Russian goals, it was just not Finland´s day.

Jesse Joronen gk


The result is hardly of any importance and tomorrow the teams will meet again, but this game was ended 0-3 (0-2)


1. Jesse Joronen, SiU
2. Daniel O’Shaughnessy, HJK
3. Mikko-Petteri Latosaari, Haka
4. Patrick O’Shaughnessy, HJK
5. Miikka Salonen, HyPS
6. Jani Jokinen, Honka
7. Nikolai Alho, HJK
8. Kastriot Kastrati, HJK
9. Kevin Peth, FF Kraft
10. Valmir Seferi, Honka
11. Antti Mäkijärvi, Honka

subs
12. Atte Ranta, HIFK
13. Joni Mäkelä, OLS
14. Aapi Helvelahti, Fuengirola Los Boliches
15. Jussi Perttula, MyPa
16. Kasperi Heinonen, Reipas
17. Kevin Ingoli, PK-35
18. Henri Salminen, Ilves


Sami Vehkakoski, coach
Jarkko Wiss, coach