Finns set to experiment

Finland coach Antti Muurinen has announced an experimental squad for friendlies against Honduras and Costa Rica on 16 and 19 November in the United States.

One newcomer
"This is a chance to look at some new faces and also give more minutes to players who have been sitting on the bench," said the coach, who included one newcomer in the party, FC Haka centre-back Juha Pasoja, and seven domestic-based players in all.

Litmanen doubt
Captain Jari Litmanen, once again, is included despite fitness doubts. "Jari is an exception," Muurinen said. "He has fully recovered from his injury, but we are waiting for [AFC] Ajax's opinion. It's even possible that Jari will play only one of the games."

'Tough teams'
The Finns meet Honduras in Houston and Costa Rica three days later in San Jose. "Both are tough teams and these games give us a good chance to see new players at international level," Muurinen said. Finland are building towards the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after failing to reach UEFA EURO 2004™.

Finland squad
Jääskeläinen, Kaven, Heikkinen, Hietanen, Koppinen, Kuivasto, Nylund, Pasoja, Eremenko jr, Hakanpää, Kopteff, Kottila, Litmanen, J Niemi, Nurmela, Riihilahti, Roiha, Tainio.
On stand-by: Lagerblom