Verkhovtsov strikes as Belarus frustrate Finns
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
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Belarus 1-1 Finland
Dmitri Verkhovtsov levelled five minutes from time to frustrate the visitors, who had led for much of the contest through Teemu Pukki's goal.
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Finland are four points behind second-placed France in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group I after conceding a late equaliser against Belarus in Gomel.
Seemingly set for successive 1-0 wins against the section's bottom team in the space of five days, following Teemu Pukki's first-half strike, Finland were denied victory by Dmitri Verkhovtsov's equaliser five minutes from time.
Georgi Kondratiev's hosts also started strongly, controlling the game in the early stages, creating and missing chances through Anton Putilo, Stanislav Dragun and Timofei Kalachev.
Finland, though, warmed to the task and took the lead on 24 minutes when Pukki moved infield from the left and unleashed a shot that was deflected on its way past Sergei Veremko. Belarus responded with gusto yet were repelled in their advances by a solid Finland rearguard, marshalled expertly by returning captain Niklas Moisander.
Mixu Paatelainen's side were looking confident and on course for another three points, only for Verkhovtsov to intervene, the defender connecting with Kalachev's delivery to level things up. Roman Eremenko might have clinched it for the third-placed visitors – but the crossbar kept out his effort two minutes from time.