SOME FINNS SPECIAL

Cult hero Riihilahti scored against England in 2001 & is counting down the days until his country face Three Lions again in the Nations League

-  PAUL BROWN

AKI RIIHILAHTI was the last Finn to score against England and cannot wait to see his country face the Three Lions again.

A Crystal Palace cult hero who once named his pet cat after Gary Lineker, Riihilahti has an extended family and a big fanbase in the UK.

Now 47 and CEO of his nation's biggest and most successful club, HJK Helsinki, he was 23 when he stunned the Three Lions at Anfield.

He headed Finland in front with a goal which went in off Gary Neville, in a World Cup qualifier in 2001 his side eventually lost to Sven Goran Eriksson's men.

Later this year the two nations will compete again after being drawn in a Nations League group with Republic of Ireland and Greece.

Riihilahti, who will watch Finland take on Wales in a Euro qualifier tomorrow, said: "I knew I would score that day.