Ireland v Finland: Matt Doherty back in starting team as Boys in ...

IRL

Finland

Ireland 1-0 Finland They have rode their luck at times, with Finland twice hitting the woodwork, but Ireland find themselves ahead at the end of the first half. 

The goal was all down to Johnston's trickery and end product, but it should do Ferguson the world of good.

Ireland are in front! 

Mikey Johnston has to take a huge amount of credit, dancing past Alho with quick feet and a few step-overs before standing the ball up. 

Ferguson uses his physical power to beat a couple of blue shirts to it – heading across the line for the opening goal. 

Antman goes agonisingly close For the second time, Finland have struck the post. With men ove,r Antman drifts inside and has a go but his effort is deflected onto the upright by Collins, who then heads away. 

Matt Doherty floats in unmarked at the back post and connects with Johnston's corner, heading wide. 

Szmodics and Hoskonen chase down a loose ball and there's a coming together between the pair. Szmodics picks himself up and drills a shot at goal, which Hradecky has to save. 

The Ireland forward believes he should have been awarded a free-kick. 

From the corner, the ball is recycled and O'Dowda's cross finds Scales but his header is off target. 

Two chances for Benjamin Kallman in quick succession. 

The Finnish forward does incredibly well to direct his header towards goal, but, with Kelleher scrambling, it goes a few yards wide of the post. 

Moments later, the Ireland goalkeeper makes a save from the same player. It wouldn't have counted though as the offside flag was raised. 

Finland denied by the post

Johnston is caught in possession and Lod tries to curl the ball past Kelleher but, with the Ireland goalkeeper beaten, it hits the upright and comes back out. 

That's as close as we've come. 

Ireland immediately counter attack and win a corner, but it amounts to nothing. 

Finland work the ball into Ireland's box and Benjamin Kallman's snap shot strikes the body of Cullen.  

A long ball down the field finds its way to Ferguson and the Meath man hits a powerful effort from some 30 yards out. 

It takes two deflections before going behind for a corner, but Ireland have looked much more dangerous in the last couple of minutes. 

Ireland have the ball in the back of the net... but the flag has gone up! The run of Szmodics is found by Ferguson and he rounds the goalkeeper before slotting home. It won't count, however, as he strayed offside. 

The crowd has been quiet so far but they've just been given a reason to applaud. 

Cullen threads a through ball for Ebosele but unfortunately his pass into the box isn't accurate enough. 

Ireland reclaim possession and Jason Knight has a pop from distance – shooting well off target. 

Ireland need to get a hold of this as the visitors continue to probe. Kamara finds Oliver Antman and he fires a cross in, which requires a timely interception by captain Nathan Collins. 

More good play from Finland as Nikolai Alho is picked out in a wide position. He cuts a pass back to Kaan Kairinen and his strike is blocked, so that will be a corner.

Finland have looked threatening in the last few minutes, without creating a clear-cut chance. 

Ireland then respond as Johnston breaks free and releases Ferguson. His square ball is for Szmodics, but it's too close to FInland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky.

The Bristol City captain contests a bouncing ball with Glen Kamara, and while both players raise their boot, Knight picks up a yellow – Ireland's second of the evening. 

That looked harsh. 

Ireland break and Szmodics is fed the ball in a promising position. The Ipswich Town attacker attempts to get a shot off, but, once again, Peltola does a fine job in defence. 

Waterford's Festy Ebosele, always full of energy, looks to take on Matti Peltola but ends up conceding a foul for pulling his opponent back. 

The Cardiff City man catches Robin Lod late and goes into the book very early. 

As had been flagged, Sammie Szmodics has started up alongside Evan Ferguson leading the line for Ireland in what looks like a 4-4-2. 

Ireland have been pressing the Finns early on, but the visitors do really well to play themselves out of danger.