Wales v Finland Match of the Day Wales

He took over in January 2012. Now Chris Coleman enters the final game

of his current contract. For weeks, huge uncertainty from both manager

and employer over whether tonight's friendly against Finland would be

his last in charge. If anybody is judging me just on the next game,

then if that is the case, I am not sure that even if the contract was

offered after it, I would be signing it, if I am honest with you. But, on

Friday, an end to the whole Saga, as Coleman faced the media to confirm

he signed a new two-year deal to lead Wales in the Euro 2016

campaign. I only ever focused on Wales. I only do this job once. It

won't come round again for me. I will make the best of it, enjoy it

while I can, and do my best. That is a superb ball. A promising cup

campaign for Coleman, who has won four, drawn two of his last games.

Lifted by Gareth Bale and Joe Allen, but Ramsay misses out with flu.

Both managers are looking to end the match and style.

Wales, The future is clear at last: Chris

Coleman stays as manager. Can he provide more proof that he is the

right man for the job? Plenty of goals in the studio this evening.

Our guests Steve Saunders, Robert Earnshaw and Nathan Blake have 42

between them for Wales. So another new beginning for Wales.

Contracts all sorted, but same old problems for Chris Coleman -

injuries and illness contribute to major absentees. Ramsay and Collins

are the late withdrawals this this time. Coleman knows he has some

convincing of fans to do, and the build-up to the Euro 2016 qualifiers

drawn in February starts here against Finland.

A touch there for Wayne Hennessey who spots Gunther.

The ball went out for the throw. The first time in the new kits for

the Wales team. The ball to Eremenko.

This is Pukki. He drives the ball across the penalty area for a goal

kick. A bit ambitious from Pukki there. I

am not sure what it was. It was a lovely run from him. Eight-watch the

eyes. The first pass. He He can do a little bit better

here. I think it is a cross or a shot?

Bale is caught again. That was - he stays down. That was Joronen. He got

caught here because he stepped a little bit. Missed the overlapping

run. You know, he has had to redeem

himself by playing catch-up. He has got to the ball first but

that should have been quite easy fodder for Gareth Bale. He reacted

late and then he has got caught. Chris Coleman obviously now is right

have worry - another worry. Another worry, yes.

That's one thing Wales are not doing is squeezing together. Easy get-out

for Finland. Taylor is in the right place. A good

charge down the left-hand side. Craig Bellamy now, of course. A

different era for Wales without Craig Bellamy who would have

occupied one of the flanks. This is Andy King who looks up and

sees the run of Ledley. He would like to get a goal on his

fiftieth appearance. Didn't get the opportunity then, but does help

Wales with their first corner. That was a great position. A good

pick-out as well by King. Maybe it should be the other way

round. King making the run, Ledley making the parks but, on that

occasion, Ledley getting into the position. Didn't have too many

options around him, though. So Bale takes this corner for Wales.

It's a header down by Joe Ledley. Robson-Kanu couldn't control it.

Having to defend at the moment. They are restored to fitness. Ledley

touch for Taylor. Eremenko. A danger here for Wales.

Moisander plays his football for Ajax.

Finland have started very confidently.

Eremenko looks not a bad player. You've seen him before playing

against Swansea? No? I thought you might have.

Three Welsh players in the middle. On to his right fat. Ledley was

waiting and didn't reach in. That's a great cross from Chris

Gunter. It is a lovely cross. It is in

swinging. They can't clear this, either, and

there is danger here. Pukki shoots across goal and hits the post.

Well, there is a real role in there for Wales. Pukki, the Celtic

striker, a team-mate of Joe Ledley's, and he didn't need much

time and space to turn. It seems a long time coming this shot, doesn't

it? It just seems the ball to him, he is in an onside position, he does

well, gets a shot in, though, and that's got to be doing. From a

defender's point of view, they can't be allowed to shoot. Across

Hennessey. Thankfully, the post is there.

Robson-Kanu, powerful runner, powerful shot, really.

Over the top from Robson-Kanu. Just the one goal for Wales against

Scotland. This is what Chris Coleman will want

to see more of, but not with that sort of finish.

Andy King in support. If anything, the two fullbacks are trying to make

it happen for Wales. Both are looking to get forward. Both looking

to try and get crosses in. If not, a free kick or a corner kick.

Maybe somebody else should be looking to take this game by the

scruff of its neck. Maybe this man. It could be a busy night for Gareth

bail, taking all the corners and the free kicks. Can he do it here? It is

a good one, and it went past everybody again. Sam Ricketts was

closest. He was closest around the back post. That's crashed right

across the middle of the goal once again. This time, in the finish

area, and really -- Finnish area, and really, that's a golden

opportunity. Somebody has got to gamble. They stopped. As you can see

there, I think it is Robson-Kanu, his hands go on his head.

They never qualified for a European championship, or a World Cup final

stages. It is a lovely ball from Eremenko.

Hennessey watched that goal with the bar. A little bit better from

Finland going forward. Really poor. I mean, there should be

somebody closer to Chris Gunter here when he has been taken off.

This is Gunter. King moves forward. Not too far,

though. Eremenko was back there. Those are finding it hard to break

down the Finland defence, but wide doesn't appear to be their most

fruitful option, and Gareth Bales complain and wins a free kick --

Bale. He will have the scratch there tomorrow to prove it.

It is a nice run, doing the best to stop Gareth Bale get on the other

end of it. That's the other part of his game, can run beyond. He doesn't

keep coming short. Now you want extra quality on the delivery.

And gamble. Bale with his free kick for Wales.

Ten minutes minutes into half-time. Still waiting for a breakthrough.

It's lot ofed! It is Robson-Kanu got there, and the flag is up anyway.

Robson-Kanu has got there, and who is on the end of it again? Sam

Ricketts. That is a lovely work, free kick. Comes off, spins round

the back, Robson-Kanu, he has a free header, and the besting he can do is

redirect it. It looks like Ashley Williams there. It probably is.

He has brought down, and Sparv is the first player to be booked.

Even though it must be, what, 35 yards out? This is in Bale

territory? It is. What do you do? There's been a suggestion over the

last few weeks, there always has been, brought up every year, about

should you have a wall or not from this distance? Do you make it clear

that the goalkeeper can see everything? The goalkeeper then

stays on his line, he doesn't come out a little bit. He is going to

have a wall, he is going to have a two-man wall with a blocker. Up

played in front Neville Southhall. Why do you need a wall from 40

yards? This is going to be a static wall. There's no blocker on this

wall. Sol Bale, it will be spectacular if

it goes in. In the end, it doesn't hit the wall.

That's a lovely ball that as well. I am not sure who played that, but

that is a lovely ball. Eremenko, good ball forward as well. Ricketts

shadowed the run of Riski. He's finding space all over the

place, Eremenko. He's on the ball again.

He has got pub you can up ahead who has pulled away.

This time, Eremenko shoots. He has tried everything else except

for that. Maybe that's the reason why.

It wasn't the best shot. Obviously, he is the one that is trying to make

things tick. This time he looks to shoe - he can't get his foot over

it, and keeping it on target. The crowd are having to entertain

themselves. They will be thrilled if this man gets a run.

Robson-Kanu. A good run by Taylor. Did he deliver

a good cross? That is a good movement from Robson-Kanu coming in

from the flank. Leaves that space for Neil Taylor to go into.

That is the first time in the second half that that has happened. Maybe

they can do it again. Maybe it is a little bit they've been looking at.

As I say, opened up, a good touch by Robson-Kanu and then feeding into

Neil Taylor. Back to the Swansea City man.

Williams the captain. This is Wales' fifth friendly under

Chris Coleman, they've wonone, drawn one, and lost two. A win was an

impressive one, really, against a decent Austria side at the Liberty

Stadium. Is that a penalty? No, says the

referee. Good work by Ledley. Put Church in the box. Slightly slipped

on the turf. He has gone down a little bit too easy. Good decision

by the referee. Bale, a good run again. Gareth Bale,

strong, powerful, shoots! Keeper saves.

Hradecky, still not away by Finland. Will be now as the keeper clutches

of the the first save that Lucas Hradecky has had to make, and it has

come ten minutes into the second half, and of course who else but

that man Gareth Bale forced it? Did the greatest thing about this is

that when he picks it up and he runs is that the way he just hits the

target, the pace that he is running, he does ever so well. Just to keep

going, he skips past the marker, he keeps going, again against the

midfield player, keeps going, and he hits it with pace.

That's more combative by Wales. Can Wales recover from this. Ledley,

Church wants it in the middle. Chipped over his head, but it's

headed home! It's headed home by Andy King. Wales take the lead.

They've been much improved in the second half, and 13 minutes into it.

King gets his second goal for his country, and Wales have profited

from a much, much improved display after the break. Well, it is all

about winning the ball high up the pitch again. Great play by Ledley.

One-two with Robson-Kanu. And what Andy King does for his club, he does

it well for Wales - arriving in the box at the right time. The perfect

header to get it past the keeper. That is - I mean, it is a little bit

fortuitous, it's come off his shoulder a little bit.

I think it will come on for Church maybe. Good save Hennessey. That was

a sharp snatch off by Riku Riski. Still not cleared.

Eremenko went flying in. This should not happen. Riski is able to turn

and shoot. Joe Allen is supposed to be protecting the back four, but he

has just been suggested out a little bit.

A way from Eremenko. It is a lovely save.

Away from Eremenko. It is a lovely save.

. Bale moves inside. A nice ball under Gunter. Gunter drives in the

cross. It goes across. It was dangerous. That is two balls, one in

the first half, one in the second half. A terrific ball. Not quite

sure what happened here. I think he had been overstretched, the

defender. Great ball in Chris Gunter. The knee is actually twisted

there. A bit exposed here... That is what I

mean about good defending. He doesn't sell himself. Doesn't give

him an opportunity to shoot across the goal. If anything, he has got to

go near post, and your keeper should never get done near post. This is

great defending about Ben Davies. You see how he blocks that off? Bale

now shoots! At the end it is threatening.

It is the end product, you know, we get every time he is so close, isn't

he? He is never a million miles away.

Here comes Bale again. This time goalkeeper is right there, Hradecky.

Just runs up in front of him. He settled in front of his feet. It

wasn't there for him. It is not a qualifier, as I keep

saying. It does go down on the record - that was a great shohe

clutched at the second attempt by Hennessey.

He knew what was around him, and enough time to recover there, just

making sure he had two hands behind the ball. First time Eremenko has

opened up, hit the shot and hit the target, for any Finnish player to

say that. Hradecky with the clearance. Danger

here for Wales. Hennessey has to come up for this. But he has beaten

them. Finland have pulled one back at the last. Riku Riski spoils the

night for Chris Coleman. They were beaten with one ball down the

middle, the goal-scorer King made a mistake in midfield, and as happens

in international football, you're punished. You're punished. It's a

simple ball between left back and centre back. Just you know, Andy

King getting under the ball, and noting tight enough to start with,

and that is the thing: not being tight enough to start with. It was

just a little bit too easy. Eremenko has been in, you know, an

inspiration in midfield for him all afternoon. It is one last twist of

the tale provided by Gareth Bale. It hits the cross over. Can't find a

red shirt. Wales win it back, though. Chipped into the middle.

Ledley comes in. Joe Ledley! Couldn't rescue it. There is a

surprise. It has come through him until the. The player, the ball back

here, he has had so much - he is so much favourite for it, but this is

good closing down. Can we learn from this, squeezing down in their own

18-yard box? They've got wrong footage. You think it is surprised

that he has actually landed it at his feet.

So, we are inside the last few seconds now, and Wales have been

denied at the end. Chris Coleman, having sighted his new contract, he

still has to suffer some boos, the frustration of a late Finland

equaliser, Andy King, he put Wales ahead in the second half, but also

his wayward header allowed Finland to break and Riku Riski to equal

lies in injury time. It's more frustration for Wales; it's the

start of a new era, but they're suffering the same old difficulties

- full-time score, is Wales one, Finland one.

Mixed emotions for Chris Coleman who had seen Andy King give Wales the

lead but King's back header giving the equaliser to the end. Let's hear

from the Wales manager. You know when you're in front and there is

only minutes to go, you know, we've got to lock the door then, that's

it. The game is done then. A little bit naive, a bit of naivety from us,

and we conceded that. That is a kicking at least, so the lads are

absolutely gutted in there. We see the reaction from them. It's not

friendly for us. We are representing Wales, and we've approached the game

in the right manner, I felt, and thought we just probably nudged it,

done enough to win the games, especially in the second half, and

1-0 up, and to give away a goal like that, and at our level, we can't,

you are know? You just can't switch off for a second, never mind fi or

ten seconds. It is is a strange, a few boos at

the end, and if you had scored in injury time, it would be different.

I can't understand the boos. Its listen, Serbia at home, fair enough,

no problem enough. Serbia awa. Booed for that. You know what, the crowd

were here tonight, I thank them, they paid their money, and that's

all I care about is they are supporting the teams. Same old

problems, Alan Ramsay and James Collins out on the day? James had a

tweak in his calf, so he has been - he has just played his first game

for West Ham last week after injury, so he has pulled up in training, so

he can't, you know, he can't put the boy at risk. And then Aaron has been

ill all week, really, he has been obviously there was a virus in the

Arsenal camp last weekend before the Manchester United game, and I think

he has carried that through, and we couldn't get him back in time. He

has trained two or three days with us, but not been at his best. We

just run out of time with him. Just left you at the last, didn't it?

Yes, it was disappointing. I thought I had a clean sheet there,

but like you say, you can't switch off at this level. One mistake and

it is a goal, you know, and it has cost us. Where is this Wales squad?

Where does it stand now? It is got great potential as we've seen. Like

you say, in our players now, I think it is near enough a whole

Premiership squad, but then again we are expecting big things now. And

the confidence going into - well, you know the draw when you next meet

in March? We fancy anyone at the moment. We are a good squad.

Hopefully injuries go our way, so hopefully we can move up, yes. So

you don't see them now until March by which time you will know what the

draw is for the Euro-2016 qualifiers? Yes, I am looking

forward to it. I am not looking forward to the next three or four

months because we haven't got any games and that is the hardest part

of my job. At least in February, we know what we are going to be faced

with. I am not, you know - I am not keeping my fingers crossed and

hoping and praying that God can sinned to us and gives us a tidy

group because what will be will be. We've got to make sure we are in

that first two, three, four games. We've got to make sure we are in and

around everybody else and we're not playing catch-up.

So Chris Coleman clearly very disappointed to concede the late

goal this evening. We will get to the game in just a moment, but first

of all, Dean, did they make the right decision given Chris Coleman a

new two-year deal? Yes, should have done it earlier. It would have

stopped a lot of uncertainty. He has got the persons to do the job. He's

exactly what we need. We've got a good group of players. We need a man

at the top and place. Nathan, too much dithering, and maybe Chris

Coleman as well? I think it was a more of a reaction, Chris's

comments, a reaction to a situation that I think he promised a contract,

and then you know, the FA kind of reneged on what they promised. I am

glad it's over and done with and collectively now, the team

There are some who stay the FSW should have been more adventurous

and see which other coaches or managers might have been available.

There is like that, and like Dean mentioned, you need the continuity,

the players are happy with the manager, the manager has done a

decent job, I say, under the circumstances, and I think the worse

thing to to at this moment in time is change the manager again, and try

and implement the new structure all over again. I just don't think that

is the way forward, especially with the your rosing so -- euros being so

close. Everybody wants to play for Wales, everyone wants to do well.

Whoever the manager is, everyone is going to push him in the same

direction. That's what we need. If we are going to qualify and do

anything, get to a major tournament, we need every single player push in

the same way. It was great for that we have cleared that up because we

needed a clear direction of what is going to happen next, who is going

to be the manager, because if you haven't got that, then the rest of

it is going to be uncertain. Nearly the perfect start to this new

chapter this evening. Dean, talk us through this goal from Andy King. A

big blow before the game when Aaron Ramsay was without through illness.

He is a goal-scoring midfield player, different to Aaron Ramsay

but that's an interception with Finland trying to keep possession,

back four out of shape, Wales get the passing right. That is just a

dream cross for anybody. Robson-condition new is there. Andy

King makes a living just ghosting into the box in between people, does

it for Leicester every week, and that is what he is in the team for.

This is what you expect from him, and he's a bit lucky, he comes off

his shoulder there, but because he's in the middle of the goal - Is he

underrated, andry King, not one player that is sell berated very

often but seemed to perform well for Wales? He's different. He's not the

type of midfielder like Aaron Ramsay who wants the ball all the time.

He's different. His beggest attribute is his timing is going to

be perfect arriving in the box. He is a goal-scoring midfielder. His

timing is perfection, which is what you see tonight. You know, he's a

good player, very good kid, very good player, and he is always going

to give you his best, and that is the one thing you can count on him,

especially last minute, Aaron Ramsay goes down, he's not playing, you

know, you've got no problem with King coming in, and he pops up with

a goal. Nathan, worrying moments for Wales before that. They needed that

goal? Yes, there were. They had a few chances. They hit the post. I

think DS Pukki here. He just little ricochet off the defender, turns a

great shot, comes off the foot of the post. Here, Riski, no back lift,

but, you know, you're probably expecting him to take another touch

here, but this one, Riski, I would think the two defenders are kind of

caught out by his pace because he seems to run away from him and then

slot it. I think if I was over critical, or ultracritical, Wayne

could have come off a tad sooner. We have to give the boy credit t was a

great finish. Right at the end of the game, and a really cruel blow

for Wales, that was. What about this penalty claim that Wales did have in

the second half. Should they have had a penalty? First of all, I

thought it was a penalty. And then I saw the replay, and I thought it

wasn't, and then it is only until the third remay that you actually

see the contact, because t contact isn't with the feet, it is actually

with the defenders' knee, and he hits the back of them, which is very

difficult to spot, because you're looking at the feet. For me 100 per

cent penalty, you know, Church has run across him and brought the

contact, and obviously the defender has brought him down, it is a

penalty. I am sure all three of you strikers would have claimed that

one. That would have made the difference, possibly? Yes, I agree

with Robert whose definite penalty, church has got across him, tangle of

legs. We couldn't finish them off, and it is strange. Swansea have done

it twice in Europe in the last couple of years, conceded in the 90

third minute and that goal was avoidable there, and it cost us in

the rankings, you know. So a disappointing night. So that is the

end of 2013, then, where are we - glass half full or glass half empty?

You had an encouraging end to the world cup campaign. That's a

disappointing way perhaps in the night in the end to end the year?

Yes, but we got the manager in place which is the main thing, and we can

now look forward, and all the players know who is in charge, "I

want to be in that squad that's going to qualify" because I believe

we are going to qualify eventually. This group of players I think will

do it. You've got to be fighting like mad is to get into the squat

for this next tourism. The manager was in place. The next tournament,

Nathan is Euro 2016. We have here a graphic which is the seedings for

that competition. These are the pots: They're

going to to play and beat one of these top nations. They're going to

have to go some of the some of the teams are pot one, obviously, two,

you want to avoid anyone, I wantly, Holland, Croatia, but, there is no

easy games. I don't even think if you go into pop five and six there

is an easy game. There is the likes of maybe a San Marino or Gibraltar.

If you look pot five or Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan, there are no

easy games at international level - at any level professional, you know?

There is no easy games. With this group of players that Wales have at

the moment, I keep talking about this golden generalvation -- golden

generation. This next tournament is the best chance, isn't it? Yes, for

in your. You wasn't get a better chance than this because the belief

now is that it is different because you've got guys who everybody knows

they're at the world class level, you snow? We've got barlet bail the

most expensive player in the world, but not just that, he is playing at

reel fulfilled -- R, and his -- - synchs real plied. We've

The belief is we have got to be there. We've got to do the right

things at the right time, but everybody has got to be in rhythm

for us to qualify, and you won't get a better chance than now. There is

no question mark over the commitment of Gareth Bale to Wales? Judgment

you saying that makes me cringe. Is he going to turn up for a or a

friendly? . If you get picked to play for Wales, I got free transfer

when I was any, I never bought I was ever going to play for Wales. If I

got picked to play for Wales, it was the biggest honour I could have, and

I saw the games as bigger than any Premier League game, you've got to

turn up. As simple as that. I want to ask you about the coaching staff.

Does he need to bring this a extra pair of hands, especially with John

Hartson having left? He has got kit Simon there, Roberts, who is

obviously not as experienced as Kit but he will have his opinion. Chris

knows the game inside out i don't think he needs to do anything

drastic. He needs to get the belief in the players. We've all got to be

positive. We've lost so many games over the years. We've ought got to

think we can do it. How do we feel these stadiums again? It is not so

long ago that they're playing at packed houses in the Millennium

Stadium. How do they feel these grounds and then Is One of the

biggest factors has probably got to be marketing. We've got to lookality

how can we connect the fans to the team? And how can we bring that

together? Because, you know, I feel when, at the same time, there's

going to be results, to think defective got to see things on the

pitch that encourages them to go, we've got a great squad, great

players, genuine great players, and exciting players. Why have we got

half a stadium there. It doesn't matter if it is a friendly or not.

Nathan, sum up 2013 for us? Unprecedented, remain, in wha

happened. Understandable, I would say results, especially in Chris's

early days. I think he has got to grips with things, and I look

forward to 20814. With optimism? Ever the optimist. Gentlemen, thank

you very much indeed for your company here this evening. So, it

was almost the perfect way to celebrate the new contract - not

quite in the end, and Wales, it seems, remain something much a work

in progress. From all of us here, thanks for watching. It's goodbye

for now. Church wanted in the middle. It's

over his head! It's headed home! Hennessey has to come up for this.

Finland has pulled one backality the last.