Finland to meet Germany and Russia in 2010 World Cup qualification

Draw could have been kinder, but could have been worse

print this

Although the country was elevated to the third basket of seeds, Finland’s national football team - which narrowly missed out on qualification for Euro 2008 last week - was done few favours in the draw of the 2010 World Cup, made in Durban on Sunday.
      Finland will play in UEFA Group 4, alongside Germany, Russia, Wales, Azerbaijan, and Liechtenstein.
      Whilst Finland might have had to face teams ranked even higher than these, the prospect of finishing first (for automatic qualification) or among the eight best runners-up (leading to a play-off against one of seven other second-placed teams from the total of nine UEFA groups) in a mini-league including the Germans and Russians initially sounds daunting. Both these teams made it through to Euro 2008, albeit that Russia only squeaked in thanks to England’s catastrophic defeat at home to Croatia.
     
However, head coach Roy Hodgson was not downcast, and he reported from South Africa that there was no reason to feel defeatist: "We know the Azers well, since we just played against them in the European Championships qualifiers. Wales are a football side top to toe. In other respects, too, the group looks interesting and it’s a fair enough draw. Germany and Russia are quality sides, but things could have been more difficult than they are."
      "When I looked at all the groups after the draw was made, there were perhaps two that appeared rather easier on paper. Then again, I could quickly name at least four that are worse, so in that sense we were fairly lucky", Hodgson commented on the Finnish FA’s website.
     
The Finnish FA will also be quite well pleased with the outcome, at least in a financial sense. Germany are a bankable draw, and Russia can also be expected to fill the Olympic Stadium easily enough, especially as a good many Russian fans will make the trip.
      As for the other teams, attendances will depend to a large extent on how well the hosts are playing: if Finland are doing well, people will show up to watch them, regardless of the opposition.
     
In logistical terms, too, the draw in Durban has been kinder than that for Euro 2008, when Finland’s players had to make three trips to the far easternmost outposts of what these days passes for “Europe”, and one to the far southwesterly corner.
      The journey to Baku to meet Azerbaijan will again be a long one, but at least the players and staff know what to expect this time around.
     
What happens next is that the representatives of the various football associations pencil into their diaries the date of January 10th 2008, for a meeting in Frankfurt to discuss the fixture list.
      The matches themselves will be played from the fall of next year.
      Finland will naturally be hoping to repeat their bright start to the Euro 2008 campaign, when they caught the eventual group winners Poland napping and beat them away from home.
     
However, even before the Frankfurt meeting, Finland must sort out who is to lead the team into the World Cup qualifying campaign.
      The Finnish FA will be holding talks with Roy Hodgson in the near future on extending his contract.
      There seems to be a broad consensus, particularly among the players, that the British-born coach would be a welcome figure over the next few years, but Hodgson himself has been tight-lipped about his plans.
      His name has recently been mentioned in rumours about a new coach for rhe Republic of Ireland team. Hodgson's assistant over the Euro 2008 campaign, Jyrki Heliskoski, has already announced that he will be stepping down and taking over the helm of the Under-19 national side.
      It is more than likely that some of the older members of the squad will also decide that this is the moment to retire from international duty, meaning that Finland have just under a year to break in new players.
     
Other highlights of the European draw included a rematch between England and their recent nemesis Croatia, and the English team will be racking up the air-miles as their programme also features a nine-hour long-haul flight to Finland’s Euro 2008 opponents Kazakhstan. Expect plenty of Borat jokes in the English media.
      Sweden and Denmark will also meet again, in a tight group that includes Finland’s most-recent opponent, Portugal. Norway and Iceland are paired in Group 9, the only one with five members, and must overcome Scotland and The Netherlands if they want to progress to the finals.
     
Farther afield, there were gasps in the hall in Durban when South Korea were placed in the same Asian qualifying group with their northern neighbours in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
      Across the Atlantic, there might be an intriguing political match-up in prospect, as the United States could meet Cuba in the 3rd round round-robin games.
      Another fascinating group in the Asian Football confederation features Australia - who elected to "go Asian" and joined the AFC from 2006 - matched with China, reigning Asian Champions Iraq, and Qatar in what has already been dubbed a “group of death”.
      Australia’s Socceroos have also reportedly shown an interest in acquiring Mr. Hodgson’s services. Sunday’s draw may scotch or even reinforce those rumours - depending on how badly Roy Hodgson wants a big challenge.
     
The World Cup Finals will be held in South Africa in June and July 2010.
      Even though the hosts are guaranteed a place, they will be taking part in the African qualifiers as these matches will also act as qualifiers to the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in 2010. They drew a very tough opponent in Nigeria, the leading African footballing power.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Portugal 0 Finland 0 - the Finns hold on, but the dream of qualification is over (22.11.2007)
  Roy Hodgson being tipped as possible new Ireland coach (21.11.2007)

Links:
  FIFA

Helsingin Sanomat