Jussi plays in Finnish loss

Disappointing game
By Matt Lawton
August 22 2002

Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen failed to take advantage of his opportunity to permanently claim the Finland number one jersey in a disappointing performance in their game against the Republic of Ireland in a friendly in Helsinki.

Former Wanderers star Jason McAteer captained the visitors who comfortably won 3-0 in an impressive performance through goals from Leeds’ in-form hitman Robbie Keane, Celtic midfielder Colin Healy and young Arsenal striker Graham Barrett on his international debut.
Jaaskelainen was hoping to take advantage of his chance to impress his national coach who must have been impressed with Jaaskelainen’s performances in the Premiership last season.
This message has seemingly become clear to previous Finnish number one Antti Niemi who last night was finalising his own move to the Premiership, a £1.5million transfer to Southampton from Edinburgh Scottish Premier League outfit, Heart of Midlothian. Niemi travelled from Tynecastle to the south coast last night in a bid to seal a quick transfer so that he can have regular Premiership football, which he hopes will earn him an international recall. While Niemi was in negotiations with Saints manager Gordon Strachan, previous number one Paul Jones had a torrid game for Wales in their 1-1 draw with Croatia. Jones’ slip while trying to clear a back pass presented the Croats with a simple goal, which equalised an excellent opener from Spurs midfielder Simon Davies.