Finns edge ‘Soca Warriors’ in friendly

Mekeil Williams put Trinidad and Tobago ahead in the 32nd minute but two minutes later, Finland levelled the scores. Kevin Molino put Trinidad and Tobago back in front after 66 minutes but Toni Kolehmainen knotted up the scores seven minutes later as the TT defence fell asleep.

And, in the 78th, Finland netted the go-ahead goal through Mika Aaritalo who thundered his header past goalkeeper Marvin Phillip.

Joint interim Trinidad and Tobago coaches Hutson Charles and Angus Eve included three debutants on their starting team – Williams, right-back Curtis Gonzales and forward Richard Roy, while Phillip was handed the captain’s armband. .

Finland’s strategy was clear from the onset, to use their height and long-ball tactics to test the Trinidad and Tobago back-line.

The visitors were forced to make an early change when striker Berat Sadik picked up an injury and was replaced by Mika Aaritalo.

But, against the run of play, the hosts took the lead when Gonzales sent a ball into a crowded area and defender Seon Power directed the ball to Williams who produced a wonderful finish to break the deadlock.

The lead did not last long as Aaritalo towered over the defence to head Daniel Sjolund’s pass to Riku Riski who placed his left-footer past Phillip’s right.

The Finnish outfit came out firing early in the second half, with Kasper Hamalainen and Aaritalo testing the TT goal while Sean De Silva, right after his introduction for Jones, met Molino’s ball with a fantastic volley which was held by Lukas Hradecky.

Hamalainen missed a good scoring chance and TT made them pay with a goal two minutes later.

Jean-Luc Rochford sent a low ball down the right to his fellow substitute and debutant Willis Plaza who ran by Sumusalo and picked out Devorn Jorsling.

The striker’s effort was blocked by Halsti but Molino tidied up the mess, to good effect.

Finland rallied from their second setback, and Phillip did well to parry Hamalainen’s left-footed drive in the 72nd.

The equaliser duly came a minute later, as captain Joona Toivio found Aaritalo who diverted the ball towards Kolehmainen who calmly placed his effort past the outstretched Phillip.

And another newcomer Leslie Russell was caught in no-man’s land in the back, as he failed to pick out Aaritalo’s timely run and winning header to the top left-hand corner.

Finland will oppose the national Under-23 squad in another friendly, at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet on Wednesday.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: Marvin Phillip (capt); Mekeil Williams, Seon Power, Akeem Adams (Leslie Russell 77th), Curtis Gonzales; Clyde Leon, Joevin Jones (Sean De Silva 57th), Kendall Jagdeosingh (Willis Plaza 57th), Ataullah Guerra (Jean-Luc Rochford 66th), Kevin Molino (Keon Boucher 80th); Richard Roy (Devorn Jorsling 66th).

FINLAND: Lukas Hradecky; Markus Halsti, Joona Toivio (capt), Mikko Sumusalo, Sebastian Sorsa (Akseli Pelvas 75th); Joni Kauko (Joni Aho 75th), Daniel Sjolund (Hannu Patronen 90th), Toni Kolehmainen, Kasper Hamalainen (Irali Aijala 86th), Riku Riski (Sabastian Mannstrom 46th); Berat Sadik (Mika Aaritalo 30th).