Finland coach Markku Kanerva believes a strong team ethic can continue to push his men towards Euro 2020 qualification as they prepare to take on Group J leaders Italy.
The Eagle-owls saw off Greece 1-0 in Tampere on Thursday night, secured with a penalty from Norwich forward Teemu Pukki.
It was a fourth-straight qualifying win for Kanerva’s well-organised side, who had topped their Nations League group to secure the safety of a play-off place should it be needed.
“Above all, I am proud once again with how the team showed the fight and determination to win and the way in which we ended up playing,” Kanerva said.
“It has been essential to our success. We believe that working together will produce results.”
“We are halfway through (qualifying) now, it looks good, but there is no time to breathe,” he said at a press conference.
“Italy will wait us on Sunday and then there are still two difficult away games.”
“Playing for the Azzurri is a great honour and you must always be ready, no matter what role you are in,” he said, quoted on www.figc.it.
