Markku Kanerva targets three points for Finland against Ireland side in flux

Finland boss Markku Kanerva is hoping lightning strikes twice as he heads into a must-win Nations League clash with the Republic of Ireland.

Kanerva's men won 1-0 in Dublin in September 2020 courtesy of a Fredrik Jensen strike when the sides met in the same competition, and Kanerva knows only a repeat at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday will spare them relegation to League C.

The Finns are pointless after four League B2 fixtures, including last month’s 2-1 defeat by Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side in Helsinki, and are staring relegation firmly in the face.

Asked if he saw a difference in the current Ireland team to the one Finland faced four years ago, Kanerva said: "Of course a new coach has brought new things, but it is hard to compare in a way.

"It was a lifetime ago we met Ireland. Yes, we managed to get three points and I expect that we can play as good a game as then.

"Of course, there are all small details that every coach would want to bring to a team. They have played pretty OK so far and of course they have a process going on.

"But it takes time for a new coach to get all their ideas to the players and it takes time for the players to adapt."

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Asked further if the game was a must-win affair for his team, he added: "Yes, that’s true.

"We have to win this game and it’s going to be difficult, for sure. We have to reach our best level to beat Ireland tomorrow, and hopefully our game-plan will work."

Having already lost young players Topi Keskinen, Leo Walta and Tomas Galvez to the