Belgrade, YUGOSLAVIA, October 16 (AP) - Darko Kovacevic and Sinisa Mihajlovic scored one goal each Wednesday as Yugoslavia beat Finland 2-0 in a Group 9 European Championship qualifying match.
The Finns controlled most of the first half, with former Liverpool striker Jari Litmanen and current defender Sami Hyypia having several golden opportunities each.
The Yugoslavs seemed disorganized at first, but after a couple of substitutes, the team improved in the second.
In the 54th, Kovacevic picked up a loose ball in the penalty zone following a long-range strike by Mihajlovic and netted into the right-hand corner of Finland's goal.
Yugoslavia got another in the 85th when a foul in the penalty zone led to a penalty kick.
It was masterfully executed by Mihajlovic, who sent the ball straight into the upper left corner, past the Finnish 'keeper Antti Niemi.
"We were very lucky in this game," Yugoslavia coach Dejan Savicevic said.
"We didn't play terribly well, but we managed to get the very important points, that's what matters."
Lineups
YUGOSLAVIA: Dragoslav Jevric, Zoran Njegus, Nikola Lazetic, Nemanja Vidic, Sinisa Mihajlovic, Ivica Dragutinovic (Nenad Brnovic, 49), Dejan Stankovic, Igor Duljaj (Mladen Krstajic, 51), Predrag Mijatovic, Mateja Kezman, Darko Kovacevic (Savo Milosevic, 70).
FINLAND: Antti Niemi, Sami Hyypia, Petri Pasanen, Janne Saarinen, Hannu Tihinen, Joonas Kolkka, Jari Litmanen, Mika Nurmela, Aki Rihilahti, Antti Sumiala, Teemu Tainio.
Group 9 - Results of matches played on October 16
Yugoslavia - Finland 2-0, Wales - Italy 2-1 (1-1)
Current Standings
G W D L F-A Pts
1. Wales 2 0 0 0 4:1 6
2. Yugoslavia 2 1 1 0 3:1 4
3. Italy 3 1 1 1 4:3 4
4. Finland 3 1 0 2 3:4 3
5. Azerbaijan 2 0 0 2 0:5 0
