Just like last month in Russia, Wales full side were gallant and did us proud but yet again have nothing to show for it as they fell to a late defeat. This time, Trochowski's wonderful 72nd minute strike gave Germany a 1-0 victory in Monchengladbach. In truth, it was no more than they deserved but Wales made it hard.
After John Toshack went gung-ho with 4-4-2 vs Liechtenstein last weekend(!), he returned to his routine 4-5-1 tonight playing Craig Bellamy as the sole striker and making James Collins a third central defender with Ashley Williams and Craig Morgan.
1,500 Welsh fans made a fantastic noise and they, like the rest of us, were wondering if we could produce a shock result as it was 0-0 at the interval with Wales managing only one shot which Bellamy pushed wide and the Germans giving Hennessey just one save. The opening 20 minutes saw the sides test each other before the Germans starting pushing on but they were restricted to long range shots, a couple of which were magnificently blocked by James Collins.
The second period started end to end like a Cup tie with Wales having slightly the better of it but the Germans seemed to step up a gear and although they were mainly restricted to efforts outside the box, there were so many and they have quality hitters, that you felt it would be a matter of time before they scored. Collins blocked, Hennessey saved, shots grazed the bar or went inches wide before Trochowski turned David Edwards inside out and fizzed an effort across Hennessey. Not long after, it was almost two-nil and game over but Ballack's free-kick struck a post.
Wales made changes and came close when Bellamy brilliantly beat Lahm and cut across the area but his ball was between Ched Evamns and Gunter and by the time Gunts took responsibility, he was closed down and blocked.
The Germans now look to be cruising their way to World Cup qualification with Wales locked in a three way race with Russia and Finland for 2nd and the runners-up spot even though we are not halfway through the qualifiers. The Russians are probably favourites but next test for Wales is Finland in the New Year.
After John Toshack went gung-ho with 4-4-2 vs Liechtenstein last weekend(!), he returned to his routine 4-5-1 tonight playing Craig Bellamy as the sole striker and making James Collins a third central defender with Ashley Williams and Craig Morgan.
1,500 Welsh fans made a fantastic noise and they, like the rest of us, were wondering if we could produce a shock result as it was 0-0 at the interval with Wales managing only one shot which Bellamy pushed wide and the Germans giving Hennessey just one save. The opening 20 minutes saw the sides test each other before the Germans starting pushing on but they were restricted to long range shots, a couple of which were magnificently blocked by James Collins.
The second period started end to end like a Cup tie with Wales having slightly the better of it but the Germans seemed to step up a gear and although they were mainly restricted to efforts outside the box, there were so many and they have quality hitters, that you felt it would be a matter of time before they scored. Collins blocked, Hennessey saved, shots grazed the bar or went inches wide before Trochowski turned David Edwards inside out and fizzed an effort across Hennessey. Not long after, it was almost two-nil and game over but Ballack's free-kick struck a post.
Wales made changes and came close when Bellamy brilliantly beat Lahm and cut across the area but his ball was between Ched Evamns and Gunter and by the time Gunts took responsibility, he was closed down and blocked.
The Germans now look to be cruising their way to World Cup qualification with Wales locked in a three way race with Russia and Finland for 2nd and the runners-up spot even though we are not halfway through the qualifiers. The Russians are probably favourites but next test for Wales is Finland in the New Year.
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