SOME FINN NOT RIGHT
Irish dumped by Kamara & Pukki
GLEN KAMARA and Teemu Pukki teamed up to give new Celtic star Shane Duffy a torrid time as Stephen Kenny suffered his first defeat as Republic of Ireland boss.
Finland substitute Fredrik Jensen had been on the pitch for just 18 seconds when he grabbed the 64th-minute winner at an empty Aviva Stadium.
Gers star Kamara and Robert Taylor were causing problems as they linked with ex-Celt Pukki and Joel Pohjanpalo whose movement was proving an issue for Duffy and John Egan.
And the Irish spurned second-half chances – with skipper Duffy heading over – as Kenny became the first Irish manager to lose his opening home game since Mick McCarthy in 1996.
Ireland will face Slovakia in their crunch Euro 2020 play-off next month.
And Kenny said: “We were on top when we conceded. We probably had four or five good chances and you have to take them. We are
ReP of iRelaND.. fiNlaND...................
disappointed to lose. But the bigger picture is Slovakia. We’ve been a bit experimental and we want players to put their hand up for Slovakia.
“Some players did quite well and that gives us real food for thought.”
Early on Egan had to be alert to prevent Taylor latching on to Pukki’s knock-down. And in the ninth minute Taylor slipped Pukki in on goal only for Darren Randolph to make a fine block.
Duffy did just enough to prevent Pohjanpalo making a decent connection with Nikolai Alho’s 26th-minute cross.
Appeals for a 40th-minute penalty were waved away by Italian referee Fabio Maresca after Duffy had gone to ground under Juhani Ojala’s challenge.
Aaron Connolly returned with the bit between betw his teeth and Duffy glanced a Robbie Rob Brady free-kick wide before Jayson Jays Molumby’s cross was deflected across acro goal with the Republic finally making mak an impression.
Callum C O’Dowda curled a 57th-minute effort effor wide of Lukas Hradecky’s right post.
But B the Finns took the lead when Jensen Jens got involved in a left-wing throwinin beforeb converting Taylor’s cross.
David D McGoldrick, Connolly and Callum Ca Robinson all threatened.
And A Duffy, who headed the late le leveller last time against Bulgaria, couldn’t co replicate the feat when he sent se Brady’s 88th-minute corner over.