Yesterday saw me attend a training game between Linköpings FC (my newly found love of Swedish football!) and Finland.
It was a training game so that the Finnish ladies and regular Linköpings FC players could get a run out as there is a weeks delay before the next game. More importantly it was a chance for some young players to potentially stake a claim to playing for Linköpings FC next season.
The game was split into three thirty minute periods, and the first period started quite cagey. A midfield battle was in place with Finland finding the pace of Marianna Tolvanen to be their main source of attack. At just nineteen years of age Tolvanen was the best player on the pitch, quick, pacey, a great shot and positioning made her a constant source of attack. However, Linköpings held their nerve and through one of the young players, Hasna Mohammed, carved out two good opportunities early on.
The first period ended 0-0, and there were few shots on goal.
The second period was much the same as the first. No matter how Linköping tried they just could not find a way through the solid Finnish defence. But in the 64th minute there came a breakthrough. A good cross by Alfsson was met with a thumping header from on loan Malin Gustafsson who thumped the ball past the helpless Kankaanpää. A great goal from an inspired change.
The third period saw Linköpings FC rest their first team players and introduce on some of the reserves to see if they could impress. They played very well, defended and attacked with passion, but the class of Finland told and two quick goals from Westerlund and Sainio made the final score 2-1 to Finland.
There must have been mixed emotions for Linköpings Linda Sällstrom who played for Finland against her club.
A great game and the future looks very good for Linköpings FC. Now they must carry this belief into the rest of the season and truly believe that they can climb into the top four in the league. With this type of performance, I believe they can.
