Toshack disappointed by Wales defeat

Wales boss John Toshack blasted the "sloppy" goals his side conceded in this afternoon's 2-1 World Cup Qualifying Group Four defeat to Finland in Helsinki.

His squad was plunged into further disarray by bookings for skipper Craig Bellamy and goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, which mean the duo will be suspended for Wednesday's final qualifier in Liechtenstein and will head home tomorrow.

Flying in the opposite direction will be four reinforcements for Toshack's depleted squad, but there looks to be no let-up in Wales' injury woes.

Sheffield United striker Ched Evans is ruled out with a groin injury following his two goals in the Under-21s' 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina today in Wrexham.

Evans would have been flown out to bolster the senior squad but for his latest injury. Wales will bring over Darcy Blake, Shaun MacDonald and Andy King from the Under-21s, while also calling in MK Dons striker Jermaine Easter.

Toshack said: "We are bitterly disappointed by the result. We wanted to finish in third spot and that is now beyond us.

"We conceded two very sloppy goals with mistakes from experienced defenders.

"With the amount of injury problems we have had, we were only able to name four players on the bench. That in the end denied us any options to be able to change the game.

"Our midfield struggled in the end against experienced players. After conceding an early goal we then scored the best goal of the match through Craig Bellamy.

"There were chances for us to have nicked the result, but it just did not happen for us."

Finland opened the scoring through Roni Porokara with Bellamy equalising before the break. Niklas Moisander drove home the winner 14 minutes from the end.

Toshack added: "We had a poor start, scored a super goal but then things just petered out. The goals we let in were sloppy although I felt we deserved a draw.

"This group has been very frustrating and we have had one problem after another. We have lost twice to Finland while doing okay against the two big sides, Germany and Russia.

"I won't be glad to see the back of this group, only glad one day to see us able to put out our best side without injuries, withdrawals and retirements to disrupt our plans."

Finland boss Stuart Baxter watched his side clinch third place in the group and said: "This is a good day for Finnish football and our future.

"Third place is secured, and we were able to give a few of our younger players some international experience.

"We have to go to face Germany in Hamburg now on Wednesday, so I am happy at the moment and I won't let the thought of playing the Germans next change that feeling. Not for a while, anyway."