TEEMU PUKKI PLUNDERS AGAIN FOR FINLAND AS DARWIN NUNEZ SUFFERS DEFEAT

Norwich City striker Teemu Pukki’s hot streak continued with a fourth goal in four games earning Finland a 1-1 draw against Romania on Friday night in the Nations League.Pukki rifled home from the edge of the box to put the hosts in front in Helsinki but Florin Tanase equalised in the second half.  The Canaries’ sharp shooter was replaced in the 75th minute, after extending his lead at the top of his country’s goalscoring charts, with his 37th goal in 107 internationals. Pukki was also on target for his club in the recent Championship wins over Coventry City and Bristol City.

The 32-year-old was back on national duty for the first time since the transfer window closed. Pukki’s representative indicated earlier in the summer the forward wanted to stay in the Premier League, following the club’s relegation, but speaking to Finnish media in the build up the striker accepted that was a non starter.

The striker said there were all kinds of inquiries, but no one had the intention of offering as much as what Norwich ultimately wanted from him.He added that it was at that moment that he realised pretty quickly that it (the transfer) wasn’t going to happen. The Finland star also stated that he does not want to think about it anymore, adding that he is very satisfied to he a Norwich City player this season while the contract is left and he is going to think about his figure at a later time.

Pukki is now in the final 12 months of his Carrow Road deal, after Norwich took up their club option, but would be free to speak to overseas clubs from January. Club mate Marcelino Nunez featured in the second half of Chile’s 2-0 friendly defeat to Morocco, played in Spain. The Canaries’ summer recruit earned his 10th cap for La Roja as a half-time substitute, but former Southampton striker Sofiane Boufal struck from the penalty spot midway through the second half. Abdelhamid Sabiri sealed the win. Chile play World Cup hosts Qatar next Tuesday in Austria.