WELSH WONDERS FINNISH IN STYLE
Wilson, James and Moore on target to seal top spot for Dragons
The Liverpool winger, on loan at Cardiff, got Jere Uronen sent off for a professional foul and later opened the scoring on 29 minutes.
Captain Gareth Bale provided an assist for the second successive game for the opener before a Dan James screamer after the break.
Bale was later withdrawn which will no doubt have pleased Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho.
Teemu Pukki threatened to set- up a tense finale by pulling a goal back in the 63rd minute before Kieffer Moore’s header late on sealed it.
But Wales prevailed to extend their unbeaten run in competitive games to 11 as they finished top of Group B4 to win promotion to Group A.
First place also earns Wales a potential World Cup 2022 play-off spot should they fail to qualify automatically.
Caretaker Rob Page has shown in the Dragons’ three games this month that he is a credible candidate should Ryan Giggs’ off-field problems escalate.
The former Port Vale and Northampton boss hasn’t been afraid to tinker with the line up and made three changes for Finland’s visit.
James Lawrence, Connor Roberts and Wilson came in and the Welsh made a positive start. Captain Bale was alert to seize on a poor pass from Daniel O’Shaughnessy before firing a left-foot shot at Lukas Hradecky.
Wales were handed a huge boost in the 12th minute as Uronen saw red for pulling back Wilson, when clean through from Danny Ward’s quick goal- kick. Finland keeper Hradecky was called into action to deal with Bale’s resulting free-kick.
The visitors’ shot-stopper pulled off a one-handed save in the 26th minute to keep out a shot from Bale six yards out from James’ cross.
But Hradecky could do little about Wilson’s low, left-foot, 29th-minute strike to open the scoring for his fourth international goal.
He shot in from Bale’s clever, defence-splitting pass with the outside of his foot after Ethan Ampadu’s pass picked out the Spurs ace.
Targetman Moore came on at half time as an extra attacker. His presence made space for James (right) to advance to the top of the box and lash a right- foot shot into the top corner for his third international goal.
Hradecky then denied Bale again, who was searching for a 34th international goal.
Finland, who won away at World Cup winners France earlier this month, gave themselves hope when Pukki got away from Joe Rodon to score with a low rightfoot shot.
But Moore rounded off the win in the 84th minute with a backpost header from James’ deep, left-foot cross.
Ward 7, Mepham 6, Rodon 7, Lawrence 6 (Moore 46, 7), C Roberts 6, Ampadu 7, Morrell 7, NorringtonDavies 7, Bale 7 (Lawrence ce 62, 6), Wilson 8, James 8
Hradecky 8, Toivio 5, Arajuuri 6, O’Shaughnessy 5 (Hamalainen 63, 6), Alho 6, Schuller 6 (Valakari 73, 6), Kamara 6, Taylor 6 (Soiri 62,6), Uronen 4, Lod 7, Pukki 7
Jesus Gil Manzano (Spain)