Finland leave it late to earn 1-1 draw with Denmark ( 2003-08-21 09:29) (Agencies)
Finland's Aki Riihilahti scored a late equaliser to salvage a 1-1 against
Denmark in a lacklustre international friendly on Wednesday.
The hosts dominated the first half but it was Finland who came closest to
scoring the opening goal when they hit the post in the 35th minute.
However, Denmark's domination was rewarded seven minutes later when Chelsea
winger Jesper Groenkjaer fired the home side ahead with a squirming left-foot
shot from the edge of the box past goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.
The second half was a scrappy affair, characterised by several mistakes from
both sides who made six substitutions apiece.
With Denmark appearing to be heading for a narrow victory, Riihilahti earned
his side a share of the spoils in the 88th minute when his latched onto a free
kick to redirect the ball past Thomas Sorensen.
The performance was met with a chorus of boos from a majority of the 14,882
spectators and Danish team coach Morten Olsen was forced to admit that his side
had made too many mistakes.
"At times we played well but lost too many easy balls," Olsen told Danish
television.
Denmark lead Euro 2004 qualifying Group Two on 13 points and next play
third-place Romania (10 points) in Copenhagen on September 10.
Finland are fourth in Group Nine, six points behind leaders Wales, and play
Azerbaijan on September 6.
