Jussi Jaaskelainen stands by decision to retire from internationals
Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen has said that his decision to retire from international football is final, despite having made a one-game comeback for Finland against Hungary on Tuesday,
12 October.
Stuart Baxter, Finland's national team coach, faced an injury crisis ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifier, as Otto Fredrikson, the team's first-choice keeper, had been ruled out with a shoulder injury for
the game in Budapest.
The manager called on Jaaskelainen, who retired from the national team last year after a career in which he mainly served as second-choice keeper behind Antti Niemi, and the Bolton keeper agreed to help
his team out.
"I spoke to the Finnish manager last summer when I retired and said if he had problems with the goalkeepers I would come and help for one or two games. As it happened our number one injured his shoulder
and hadn’t played for the past three matches. That’s why I went there. But I am still retired. It was just a one-off game," the 35-year-old said after Finland slumped to a 2–1 defeat courtesy of a stoppage-time goal by the Hungarians.
"It was great to go back and play. But it was disappointing because I couldn’t help the team win an important game. It’s up to someone else now to take the number one spot."
Retired to focus on Bolton
At the time of his retirement, Jaaskelainen said he hoped his decision to discontinue his Finland career would improve his fitness for Bolton.
The Finn, who has made over 400 league appearances for the English club since joining in 1997, could now confirm that such is the case.
"When you are not traveling to the internationals, you feel much fresher. And I hope the club is going to benefit from that."
Bolton, who are seventh in the Premier League with eight games played, host Wigan at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday, 23 October.
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