Match № 22

The match № 22, group stage, sixth tournament day

FINLAND – I. R. IRAN 2:1 (0:0)

January 10th, 2013, Saint-Petersburg, Peterburgsky SCC, 300 spectators

Referees: Stanislav Vasilyev, Andrey Runov, Igor Sukharyonok

Finland: Eriksson, Holmgren, Saarinen, Kvist, Ojala, Skrabb (c)(Starck, 79), Hradecky (Pyysalo, 72),Viitikko, Rahimi (Tenho, 90), Hambo (Sjöroos, 68), Puro (Voutilainen, 51),

Head coach: Kimmo Lipponen

I. R. Iran: Hashemii, Hoseim, Ezatolahi, Karimi (c), Bazadg (Meraban, 71), Mazlum, Ozede, Amini, Hasemi (Kave, 87), Husein (Saidi, 46), Shirzadi (Sobani, 36)

Head coach: Mehr Ali Dusti

Goals: Voutilainen (60), Pyysalo (84), Ezatolahi (90)

Yellow cards: Bazadg (11), Sobani (41), Ojala (64), Hambo (64), Mazlum (74), Kvist (89), Ezatolahi (90)

Best players: Viitikko Mikko, Said Ezatolahi

Head coach of the team Finland Kimmo Lipponen:

– The game was just as we expected. Iranian players are physically very well-prepared and it's difficult to play against them, positively difficult. I'm glad that we had this match today and not in our first day: it could have been shoking for the guys. Today we were able to create moments, although we've lost many, and we caused 10 nervous minutes in the end of the match. We were lucky to have let in only one goal. And I would note the pressing of the Iranian team, they won us in running; we've never met such intensive single fights in matches with any other team. In Europe nobody plays like this. That made our players nervous.

Head coach of the team I. R. Iran Mehr Ali Dusti:

– Finnish players were very good in single fights they controlled the ball all over the field. We have also shown a good play but we've committed two mistakes in our defense and lost the match. This tournament was a preparation for the World Cup 2013 players under 17.It gave us a chance to see our mistakes and now we are going to correct them.