First match of the Helsinki 2011 World Championships, as originally reported August 16, 2011.
The game was very tight for the first 15 minutes. Neither team was able to score. With few seconds remaining in the first half both teams received team warnings for holding.
The action resumes and Rami Riikonen scores to give Finland a 1-0 lead.
With 8 minutes remaining in the second half a Pasi Aman of Finland is sent out for roughing. A time out is called by Finland. The game resumes but Colombia is unable to capitalize on the advantage. With half of the penalty time remaining, Colombia’s German Castro (No. 14) gets a call for holding. Since there is already a team warning, he heads to the penalty box.
The sides are even, 5 against 5. Finland’s captain Reijo Rantemäki scores another. Jussi Jokinen follows him shortly after again. The final result is 4 – 0 in favor of defending Champions, Finland.
The third Finnish goal was a beauty. The goalie clamped on to the ball and floated up with the Finnish attacker. Once the Finnish player wrestled it back a second Finnish player planted it in the empty goal. Two other Finns players lurked in the background.
Colombia had better than 50 percent possession in the first half. Their forwards played very tough defense. However, after Finland gained a two point lead they played coolly and prevented the increasingly frustrated Colombians any realistic chance of coming back. The additional two goals came as Colombia splintered.
Colombia has a strong team but they must now win all their remaining group matches to remain in medal contention.
Updated: with information from the score sheet