KEVIN McDonald's stunning strike eight minutes from time breathed new life into Scotland's Uefa Under-21 Championship qualifying hopes as Finland were handed their first defeat in Group Six.
Scotland took the lead in the 29th minute when captain S
teven Naismith struck following a well-worked free-kick, but just before half-time Kasper Hamalainen equalised courtesy of a beautiful curled effort.
Finland were the better side for much of the second period, only for McDonald to thump a superb half-volley high into the net and push Scotland to within five points of table-topping Finland, while still holding a game in hand.
When the contest began at a sparsely populated Pittodrie, goalscoring chances were at a premium. Scotland were at least able to take confidence from Tomi Maanoja's poor handling in the 19th minute, when the Finland goalkeeper spilled a cross from Ross McCormack while under pressure from Ross Campbell.
Given the close nature of the match, it was no surprise it took a set-piece to break the deadlock and when the first goal came, it was thanks to a smart free-kick from Scotland.
The opportunity arose after Ville Jalasto crudely scythed down Scott Arfield. Initially, it looked as if the ball was going to be laid off to McCormack, but clever play from Jamie Hamill and Arfield instead saw Naismith presented with the chance to shoot.
The Rangers player smashed a powerful low 30-yard drive towards goal and a deflection helped the ball carry past Maanoja.
Scotland grew in stature following the breakthrough, which was just the fourth goal their opponents had conceded in six qualifying games.
McCormack gathered the ball on the edge of the Finland 18-yard box and lashed a shot wide.
But from a similar range, Hamalainen showed Scotland how to finish in style. The midfielder received a pass from Pyry Karkkainen, shifted the ball on to his stronger right foot, and clipped a sumptuous shot past Jamie MacDonald.
It was an impressive goal from Hamalainen, although Scotland Under-21 manager Billy Stark must have been disappointed about the amount of space afforded to the Finn by central defenders Garry Kenneth and Mark Reynolds.
Kenneth suffered an injury just before half-time when he landed awkwardly, but the Dundee United defender recovered and began the second period in assured fashion.
In the 51st minute, Ilari Aijala must have thought he was going to race onto the ball inside the Scotland penalty area, only for Kenneth to use his tall frame to produce a crucial interception.
Finland's most threatening player continued to be Hamalainen and the TPS man once again reminded Scotland of his shooting prowess when he fired a drive past MacDonald's near post.
Hamalainen then connected with a cross from Aijala and launched a volley straight at MacDonald, who demonstrated good handling skills.
Finland remained on top, with Berat Sadik the next to try his luck, sweeping a right-footed shot over the crossbar from an acute angle.
In the 78th minute, Naismith squandered a fantastic opportunity when he headed wide from close range having been found by McCormack's cross.
But Naismith was to have his blushes saved by McDonald, who netted the winning goal courtesy of an outstanding strike.
McCormack was again the architect, sweeping a superb left-to-right cross-field pass from a free-kick right into the path of McDonald.
The Dundee midfielder showed good control before powering a precision right-footed effort high into the roof of the net.
A late blunder from goalkeeper MacDonald almost gifted an equaliser to Finland, but Jalasto was unable to reach the ball as Scotland survived an injury-time scare.
Scotland U21: MacDonald, Cuthbert, Wallace, Hamill, Kenneth, Reynolds, McCormack, McDonald, Campbell (Dorrans 56), Arfield (Mulgrew 71), Naismith. Subs not used: Smith, McCann, Considine, Conroy, McArthur. Booked: Hamill, McCormack, Naismith.
Finland U21: Maannoja, Jalasto, Raitala, Portin, Tuomo Turunen, Matrone, Hamalainen, Otaru (Parikka 84), Sadik, Karkkainen, Aijala. Subs not used: Jaakkola, Teemu Turunen, Aho, Hakola, Puustinen, Viljanen.
The full article contains 693 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
