Jari Litmanen

Azerbaijan - Finland 2010 World Cup European qualifiers 4 Group matches

administrator on 05.09.2009, 12:44 (UTC)

Kick-Off: Saturday 5 September, 19:30 CET.
Lankaran City Stadium, Lankaran.

Today (05.09.09) Finland Azerbaijan hour from 17:00 (GMT) will face.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan have already been eliminated from qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, after picking up just one point, and failing to score a single goal in their opening six matches in Group 4.

They will be extremely disappointed with their record to date, which has seen them only achieve a scoreless outcome at home to the bottom placed Liechtenstein; however to their credit they have been competitive in all of their fixtures.

In fact in their most recent qualifier, Azerbaijan only conceded twice against the European powerhouse Germany, a nation that has won the world cup on three separate occasions.

Pride is the sole thing on the line for them in this fixture, so they will want to put in a good showing in front of their home supporters.

Finland

The equation is simple for Finland in this contest – win at all costs, otherwise their hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup are over.

They are currently in third place of Group 4, five points behind Russia, a nation that should pick up maximum points against Liechtenstein, in the corresponding round of qualifiers.

The Finnish have an extremely experienced and talented squad in place at present, so they should definitely be confident of taking home all three points from this encounter. With the likes of their all-time leading scorer Jari Litmanen and their inspirational captain in Sami Hyypia running around, they look very good on paper.

Unfortunately though, this will not be enough for them this weekend, so they are going to have to ensure they are at their best against a tough Azerbaijan unit, in order to return home satisfied.

What will cause the Finnish camp a few concerns is when these two sides last met in October 2008, a penalty on the hour mark was all the separated them. They will certainly have to be better prepared this time around, otherwise their dreams will be dashed for good.

FORM GUIDE

Azerbaijan

August 12 v Germany (H) – LOST 0-2 (WCQ)

June 6 v Wales (H) – LOST 0-1 (WCQ)

March 28 v Russia (A) – LOST 0-2 (WCQ)

October 11 v Finland (A) – LOST 0-1 (WCQ)

September 10 v Liechtenstein (H) – DREW 0-0 (WCQ)

Finland

August 12 v Sweden (A) – LOST 0-1 (Friendly)

June 10 v Russia (H) – LOST 0-3 (WCQ)

June 6 v Liechtenstein (H) – WON 2-1 (WCQ)

March 28 v Wales (A) – WON 2-0 (WCQ)

October 15 v Russia (A) – LOST 0-3 (WCQ)

TEAM NEWS

Azerbaijan:

The nation’s German head coach, Berti Vogts, has a relatively inexperienced squad at his disposal, with just three players over the age of 30. Nevertheless, he will be able to call upon his captain Rashad Sadygov to lead the side from the back, with support from the likes of Vagif Dzavadov and Vuqar Nadirov up front.

Possible Starting XI – (4-4-2): Veliyev; Shukurov, Abbasov, Sadygov, Melikov; Chertoganov, Huseynov, Zeynalov, Mammadov; Nadirov, Dzavadov.

Finland:

In start contrast, and as previously mentioned, Stuart Baxter has an extremely experienced squad at his disposal for this crucial clash, something that he is hoping to make full use of. Litmanen should be supported well in attack by the 32-year-old Shefki Kuqi, whilst Hyypia is expected to have some extra cover with Zurich’s Hannu Tihinen playing alongside him at the back.

Possible Starting XI – (4-4-2): Jaaskelainen; Pasanen, Hyypia, Tihinen, Nyman; Kolkka, Johansson, Tainio, Heikkinen; Kuqi, Litmanen.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Azerbaijan – Rashad Sadygov: The captain and central defender of Azerbaijan will be desperate to avoid another defeat, in front of his nation’s loyal followers. The 30-year-old is a very proud man, who currently sits in sixth place for the amount of appearances for his country, so he will be hoping to make his next match a memorable one.

Finland – Jari Litmanen: In a match where Finland simply must score against a fairly resolute opponent in Azerbaijan, who else would you turn to but this man Litmanen? His tally of 30 goals in 124 appearances speaks for itself, as it makes him the most experienced and the most prolific player ever to wear the Finnish colours.

PREDICTION

Despite the fact that the hosts have failed to score a single goal to this point, their competitive nature cannot be questioned. However, they face an experienced Finnish outfit this weekend that simply must win to keep their dreams of progressing to South Africa in 2010 alive. The visitors will get up, but only just.

news source: goal.com

thank you "goal.com"

Suomen Cup: Gnistan 1-2 FC Lahti

administrator on 31.08.2009, 17:22 (UTC)

	Suomen Cup match away at FC Lahti 2-1 defeat Gnistanı tour jumped. FC Lahti on behalf Shala goals (16 '), Mustanen (OG) (89') scored

Jari Litmanen Finland was summoned to the National Team staff.

administrator on 31.08.2009, 17:17 (UTC)

Jari Litmanen, Finland's 2010 World Cup qualifiers to play in the team of Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein in the match was called.

The full squad is:

Goalkeepers: Jussi Jääskeläinen (Bolton, England), Otto Frederikson (Lilleström, Norway)

Defenders: Veli Lampi, Hannu Tihinen (Zurich, Switzerland), Sami Hyypiä (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Petri Pasanen (Werder Bremen, Germany), Nicholas Moisander (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands)

Midfielder: Markus Heikkinen (Rapid Wien, Austria), Teemu Tainio (Sunderland, England), Roman Eremenko (Dinamo Kiev, Ukraine), Joonas Kolkka (Nac Breda, Netherlands), Roni Porokara (Orebro, Sweden), Tim Sparv (Halmstad, Sweden), Perparim Hetemaj (AEK, Greece), Daniel Sjölund (Djurgarden, Sweden), Aleksei Eremenko (Metallist, Ukraine), Kasper Hämäläinen (TPS Turku, Finland)

Striker: Shefki Kuqi (Koblenz, Germany), Mikael Forssell (Hannover 96, Germany), Jonathan Johansson (Hibernian, Scotland), Jari Litmanen (FC Lahti, Finland), Berat Sadik (Arminia Biefield, Germany)

FC Lahti 0-1 Mypa

administrator on 11.08.2009, 13:43 (UTC)

	Veikkausliiga 18th FC Lahti 1-0 in the match at home Mypaya weeks was defeated, was the only goal at Oksanen.

FC Lahti eliminated

administrator on 11.08.2009, 13:36 (UTC)

	UEFA Europe League 3rd FC Lahti in front of home-and-elimination play 1-1 draw with Club Brugge was addressed by. 76th goals Akpala (Club Brugge) and 87th in minutes minutes was at Vanninen (FC Lahti)

Club Brugge 3-2 FC Lahti

administrator on 11.08.2009, 13:34 (UTC)

	UEFA Europe League 3rd ön eleme 1st FC Lahti 3-2 in the away match Bruggeye Club was defeated. However, two goals taken away and return to Finland was advantageous to. August 6 will be played at the event return.

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