Faroe Islands earn rare victory

TOFTIR, Faeroe Islands (AP)

Faroe Islands earned a rare victory in European Championship qualifying Tuesday, beating Estonia 2-0 after goals from Frodi Benjaminsen and Arnbjorn Hansen.

Benjaminsen gave the Faroes the lead in the 43rd when he directed a penalty kick into the bottom-left corner after he was fouled by Estonia midfielder Sander Puri.

The 33-year-old Benjaminsen then stepped up to take a second spot kick in the 47th after defender Dmitri Kruglov felled Hansen in the box. This time, goalkeeper Sergei Pareiko guessed correctly, getting down to his left to block the shot - but Hansen reacted quickest and swept in the rebound.

EURO QUALIFYING - GROUP C

Fri., Jun. 3

Faroe Islands 0-2 Slovenia
Italy 3-0 Estonia | Recap

Tue., Jun. 7

Faroe Islands 2-0 Estonia | Recap

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Scores | Tables | Fixtures

Faeroe Islands coach Brian Kerr was taking nothing for granted, however, still mindful of the two injury-time goals that helped Estonia overcome a one-goal deficit in the reverse fixture in Tallinn last August.

But any chances Estonia may have had of staging a revival were dealt a crushing blow when Puri received a second yellow card in the 57th minute and was sent off.

Faroe Islands defender Pol Johannes Justinusen was also sent off for a second yellow card in the 89th.

The win was the first in Group C for Faroe Islands, whose only previous point came from a draw with Northern Ireland.

Estonia is fourth in Group C with seven points from seven games. Faroe Islands is bottom of the table with four points.

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Lineups:

Faroe Islands: Jakup Mikkelsen, Jonas Tor Naes, Einar Hansen, Atli Gregersen, Rogvi Baldvinsson, Atli Danielsen, Frodi Benjaminsen, Hjalgrim Eltor (Suni Olsen, 90), Pol Johannes Justinusen, Arnbjorn Hansen (Simun Samuelsen, 69), Christian Lamhauge Holst (Christian Mouritsen, 85).

Estonia: Sergei Pareiko, Taavi Rahn, Raio Piroja, Dmitri Kruglov, Sander Puri, Tarmo Kink, Sergei Zenjov, Konstantin Vassiljev, Enar Jaager, Jarmo Ahjupera (Gert Kams, 66), Kaimar Saag (Sergei Mosnikov, 82).