Finland 'have to be of quality' to overcome Belarus challenge says coach Friis

[p]That is the view of head coach Jacob Friis, tasked with keeping [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/finland/QuVpPpic/"]Finland[/a] on maximum points in League C Group 1, with a further two matches to follow in this extended international window.[/p][p]The match against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/belarus/lhXEH2VT/"]Belarus[/a] (18:00 CEST) at Helsinki Olympic Stadium will be the first time Finland have played in front of their home fans since a friendly win over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/andorra/dnO5z404/"]Andorra[/a] last November. [b]"It's great to be here after a long time,"[/b] Friis commented, before turning his attentions to the opponents.[/p][p]Belarus opened the group with a 2-0 loss to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/albania/ELP2K4oB/"]Albania[/a] in Tirana, but that was their first defeat since October last year, and since then, they have picked up notable results including World Cup qualifying draws with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/denmark/0KUdxQVi/"]Denmark[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/greece/COuk57Ci/"]Greece[/a].[/p][p][b]"Our task tomorrow is different than on Saturday, but that doesn't change the fact that our focus is on our own game. There's nothing new in that - we have to execute our own game well enough,"[/b] said Friis.[/p][p]Winning the battles for possession, albeit with a touch of quality, will be the key for the Eagle Owls against their Belorussian opponents, according to the Danish coach.[/p][p][b]"We have to fight for space on the pitch. The opponent is physical and strong. They usually like to press from high up. They also play very straightforward, so we have to win the second balls. We have to win those battles to get the ball. In the ball game we have to be of quality to overcome their aggressive pressing."[/b][/p][embed guid="ed621da1-9307-4d89-9ef9-496f20229e09" url="https://x.com/Huuhkajat/status/2104832979096982005" social-type="twitter" /][h2]Finland use match to support Ukraine[/h2][p]The match drew criticism in Finland as soon as it was drawn from a notable number of people who believe that Belarus should not be taking part in UEFA competitions at present, owing to its support for Russia during the conflict with Ukraine. The match was initially scheduled to be played at a neutral venue, but that decision was ultimately reversed. [/p][p]Net money raised from ticket sales will be donated to Ukraine, supporters have been urged to donate money and products needed by Ukrainians, players will warm up wearing t-shirts bearing the slogan "We Stand For Peace" and 1,500 sunflowers will be distributed around the stadium for fans to raise as the teams enter the pitch.[/p][p]However, owing to a combination of factors - including protesting the fixture and a lack of appeal - the show of support is not expected to be particularly strong: [b]“It is one of the smallest audience numbers in recent history for competitive matches,” [/b]said Kalle Marttinen, Director of Event Operations at the Finnish FA. On the day before the match only around 6,000 tickets were said to have been sold.[/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/belarus-lhXEH2VT/finland-QuVpPpic/?mid=lbP1YpZq"]Follow Finland vs Belarus on Flashscore.[/a][/b][/p]