Wales' World Cup campaign starting in highly unconvincing style, but at least a win, as they scraped home to a 1-0 victory over Azerbaijan, thanks to Sam Vokes' appropriately scrappy 83rd minute winner and this after Jason Koumas missed a penalty while Azerbaijan had a men sent off at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
Vokes to the rescue
It was an awful day so the roof was closed and an awful crowd. I was surprised to later hear it was over 17,000 as you felt it was much less but that's still fewer than Cardiff City are getting these days. It was hard to tell when just about all fans were on the one side of the pitch in the three tiers of stands which meant your only views left, right and head were empty seats. Even with that pitiful turnout, hundreds were still outside after the game started as too few ticket booths were available for the walk up crowd causing massive queues in Westgate Street.
Wales are badly hit with injury problems, especially in defence, so the likes of Collins, Eastwood, Nyatanga, Bellamy and Gabbidon were absent but, even so, most fans were shocked and upset to see John Toshack employ a 4-5-1 system against improving but still lowly opponents, especially as that lone striker was 5'7" Robert Earnshaw.
Joe Ledley joined him and other ex-Cardiff City men on display, in a side including 6 Under 21 internationals, were Chris Gunter and Jason Koumas. Paul Parry was on the bench but never used even though I'd argue there was a crying need for his directness.
The first half was poor, Wales looking half decent in their approach play but with nothing to offer in the final third. Their only efforts were from distance, the Azer keeper making fine stops from Koumas and the excellent Gareth Bale while Joe and Earnie both put efforts wide. Azerbaijan also tested Hennessey to the full with their only meanignful effort of the game, another distance shot producing a sprawling save.
The second half was no better and going nowhere until it suddenly sparked into life in the final quarter. Wales won a 67th minute penalty, Chris Gunter going wide of a defender in the box and going down a little theatrically but contact was there.
Relief for Wales soon became agony however as Koumas put it at perfect height to save and the Azer keeper also grabbed JK's rebound effort. Azerbaijan, managed by Scotland failure Bertie Vogts, were now relieved but that immediately turned to agony too as their Brazilian born midfielder Ramim was sent off his second yellow, ironically a foul against Koumas.
Wales finally threw on subs with Ched Evans, powerful, and Sam Vokes, finally providing some aerial menace, as two up front. I felt sorry for Earnie as he was taken off after going it alone for 70 minutes.
Vokes brought two superb headed saves from the keeper who then stopped a powerful Bale shot but with time running out, the resulting corner saw a scramble, Evans got a touch and VOKES stroked home through a crowd from 5 feet. The place celebrated as if it was the World Cup Winner rather than a 'get out of jail' card.
Wales now go to Moscow to face Russia on Wednesday afternoon. They may surprise us but on this showing, it really does look like a damage limitation exercise. You get the feeling Arshavin and co are going to enjoy taking on our rookies.
In the other group game today, Germany won 6-0 in Lichenstein.
Wales are badly hit with injury problems, especially in defence, so the likes of Collins, Eastwood, Nyatanga, Bellamy and Gabbidon were absent but, even so, most fans were shocked and upset to see John Toshack employ a 4-5-1 system against improving but still lowly opponents, especially as that lone striker was 5'7" Robert Earnshaw.
Joe Ledley joined him and other ex-Cardiff City men on display, in a side including 6 Under 21 internationals, were Chris Gunter and Jason Koumas. Paul Parry was on the bench but never used even though I'd argue there was a crying need for his directness.
The first half was poor, Wales looking half decent in their approach play but with nothing to offer in the final third. Their only efforts were from distance, the Azer keeper making fine stops from Koumas and the excellent Gareth Bale while Joe and Earnie both put efforts wide. Azerbaijan also tested Hennessey to the full with their only meanignful effort of the game, another distance shot producing a sprawling save.
The second half was no better and going nowhere until it suddenly sparked into life in the final quarter. Wales won a 67th minute penalty, Chris Gunter going wide of a defender in the box and going down a little theatrically but contact was there.
Relief for Wales soon became agony however as Koumas put it at perfect height to save and the Azer keeper also grabbed JK's rebound effort. Azerbaijan, managed by Scotland failure Bertie Vogts, were now relieved but that immediately turned to agony too as their Brazilian born midfielder Ramim was sent off his second yellow, ironically a foul against Koumas.
Wales finally threw on subs with Ched Evans, powerful, and Sam Vokes, finally providing some aerial menace, as two up front. I felt sorry for Earnie as he was taken off after going it alone for 70 minutes.
Vokes brought two superb headed saves from the keeper who then stopped a powerful Bale shot but with time running out, the resulting corner saw a scramble, Evans got a touch and VOKES stroked home through a crowd from 5 feet. The place celebrated as if it was the World Cup Winner rather than a 'get out of jail' card.
Wales now go to Moscow to face Russia on Wednesday afternoon. They may surprise us but on this showing, it really does look like a damage limitation exercise. You get the feeling Arshavin and co are going to enjoy taking on our rookies.
In the other group game today, Germany won 6-0 in Lichenstein.
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