As 4th seeds in the draw pots, Wales were never going to get a kindly World Cup draw today in South Africa and so it proved as Wales came out with the toughest qualification group of the home nations.

It's
WALES
GERMANY
RUSSIA
FINLAND
AZERBAIJAN
LICHENSTEIN

The Red Dragon has come up against all opponents in recent times except Lichenstein.

Germany, of course, won the Euro2008 and played Wales to a 0-0 draw just 4 days ago.

Russia knocked us out of Euro'2004 in a play-off.

Finland were in our World Cup 2006 group and I can't wait to go back as Helsinki was one of my favourite ever Wales away trips.

Azerbaijan were in our Euro'04 and World Cup'06 group so there'll be a lot of fmailiarity.

The small stafe of Lichtenstein complete the group.

It will be a huge ask in a group where only the winners qualify and runners-up go into play-offs if their record is not one of the worst of all runners-up.

At least John Toshack doesn't seem unduly disappointed and it will be a prime opportunity to see if Wales are developing as an exciting crop of youngsters continue a sharp learning curve.

Tosh's reaction on BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7108914.stm