Hughes confident of progress

A goal from striker Roque Santa Cruz in the fifth minute in Finland was enough to overcome MyPa in the second qualifying round first-leg match.

Hughes said: "I fancy us to finish the tie off strongly. You have to make sure when you come to these places you do not get embarrassed. I am reasonably pleased and we can now finish the job in two weeks."

He added: "We have won the game and not conceded so we are in good shape for the second leg. We had 12 shots on goal, which tells its own story, and perhaps we should have won by a bigger margin. MyPa, though, showed a lot of energy and commitment and have to be congratulated on their attitude."

Santa Cruz's effort - a clinical finish after good work from Jason Roberts - should have acted as a catalyst for Blackburn. But instead it was all they had to show for their efforts against a spirited but limited home side.

Santa Cruz made the breakthrough when he fired a shot into the corner after Roberts had cleverly turned Heikki Pulkkinen. However the home side hit back in the 23rd minute and goalkeeper Brad Friedel did well to tip away a shot from Miko Hyyrynen.

Blackburn almost grabbed a second on the stroke of half time when David Dunn strode forward. He took no hesitation in firing in a powerful shot that went narrowly wide of the post.

However defender Christophere Samba had to look alert in the 55th minute as Eero Peltonen surged forward. Samba managed to get a vital touch and deflected the ball to safety, much to Rovers relief.

Then Brett Emerton came close in the 74th minute after a lovely lay-off from Santa Cruz. He clipped in a shot from an acute angle that the goalkeeper was equal to.

A minute later Matt Derbyshire saw his effort deflected over the bar but Blackburn were unable to extend their lead despite a good spell of pressure.