KIEFFER MOORE once again grabbed the leading role for Wales by scoring a late winner.
The Cardiff forward – named after 24 star Sutherland – popped up to convert a low cross by Dan James.
Moore converted James’ cross to get Wales off to a winning start in the Nations LeagueCredit: AFP
Giggs took Bale off before the second half as a precautionCredit: Lehtikuva
Moore is making a habit of starring on the road for the Dragons – having found the net in Slovakia and Azerbaijan last autumn.
And he took the limelight off skipper Gareth Bale – whose return to the big stage ended in disappointment.
The £85million man was handed a chance to put himself in the shop window by Ryan Giggs.
But his efforts to force a way out of Real Madrid will not have improved with this showing.
The Dragons skipper looked rusty in the opening 45 minutes in Helsinki – and did not reappear for the second half.
It’s no wonder the 31-year-old is not currently operating at his best level.
He has made just two appearances – around 100 minutes in total – for the Spanish giants since the end of February.
And the worry for Ryan Giggs – and his thousands of fans back home – is that they will not see the best of him for Wales if he is not playing for his club.
Even so, the young guns being given their chance by the manager are showing there is more to them than just Bale.
They had to manage without several senior stars Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen, Ashley Williams and David Brooks for this Nations League opener.
But the Dragons boss has looked to blood young players during his two-and-a-half years in charge of Wales.
And he continued the trend here with Manchester United’s young midfielder Dylan Levitt becoming the 16th debutant of his 20 game reign.
James put in an assured performance for the Dragons against FinlandCredit: Getty Images – Getty
His only first team action for the Red Devils was a Europa League dead rubber in Kazhakstan back in November.
Young full-back Neco Williams – who revealed he snubbed interest from England to commit his future to the country of his birth – had to settle for a place on the bench.
But both he and Swansea’s Ben Cabango got on as subs to take Giggs tally of new faces to 18.
It is 10 months since his men last played – a famous night in Cardiff when two goals from Ramsey saw them clinch qualification for Euro 2020.
But there was a very different feeling to this game with the stadium in Helsinki completely empty.
Bale was back on the bench for the second halfCredit: Getty Images – Getty
A James cross nodded in by Moore inside the first five minutes but the goal was ruled out for a push by the Cardiff new boy.
The United winger also struggled for game time at Old Trafford towards the end of last season but was looking hungry here.
Another centre from the left just evaded Bale due to a deflection, but it had been a bright start by the visitors.
The country’s all-time leading scorer cut in from the right and curled a left footed effort which drifted just wide of the far post.
Real Madrid’s Bale had been a little rusty but looked more like his old self as he skipped past his man but was hauled down by Jere Uronen.
The free-kick came to nothing but it was a promising moment for the Dragons.
However it was pretty much the last we saw of Bale – who failed to reappear for the start of the second half.
Finland missed a golden chance to take the lead soon after the re-start as Joel Pohjanpalo nodded back across goal.
Defender Leo Vaisanen had a simple tap in but went for it with his wrong foot and volleyed against the post from point blank range.
You might not see a worse miss through the whole of the 2020/1 campaign.
Maybe you could give him the benefit of the doubt and say he thought Norwich’s Teemu Pukki would tap in before it got to him.
The home side were showing more intent which allowed Wales to counter and they did so through Jonny Williams.
He rolled the ball out to James but it was a little too wide and his cross shot sailed over the bar.
Wilson celebrates with Moore after the Cardiff man nets the winnerCredit: EPA
Neco Williams made his full international bow, replacing his namesake Jonny just before the hour.
It looked certain to end goalless but then a quickly taken free-kick saw James get clear down the left and his cross was turned in by Moore.
The 6ft 5in forward left crisis club Wigan to join Cardiff in a £2 million deal earlier this summer.
This was only his sixth cap but with goals in three consecutive away games he looks to be just what they need up top.
Williams almost marked his debut with a goal as he got on the end of Joe Morrell’s cross but he poked his effort just wide.
But in the end it did not matter as Giggs men kept a third straight clean sheet and made it seven games unbeaten.
Gareth Bale says it is ‘surreal’ to be a Wales elder player ahead of Finland clash
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
