Freindly: Wales 5 Luxembourg 1

Wales made heavy weather of beatign Lexembourg in a friendly at Llanelli but eventually ran out comfortable winners.


As usual, players withdrew and, sadly, Simon Davies became the latest to retire. At 30 and still with plenty to offer, it is very premature and sad to see. Apparently, he became the 18th player to retire since Tosh took charge.


As for the game watched by just 4,500, Wales had carved only a couple of chances before David Cotterill blasted home Earnie's cross on 35 but they were rocked as the part-timers levelled, Kitenge's 20 yarder deflecting off Craig Morgan.


However it was one way traffic after the break which saw JOE LEDLEY restore the lead from the penalty spot (I don't think he's taken one before) three minutes into the second half and then Andy King, Ashley Williams and outstanding skipper Craig Bellamy completed the rout, the final two goals coming after Lexembourg had a man sent off.

Euro'2012 qualifiers start for Wales ina couple of weeks, hope this was worthwhile for them.

FrIendly International: WALES 0 SWEDEN 1

A tepid Wales tasted home defeat in their first international of the year and build up to the Euro-2012 campaign starting in September aginst Sweden at Swansea City's Liberty Stadium.

Wales build up was hampered by the horrific injury suffered by Aaron Ramsey last weekend and overshadowed by manager John Toshack not selecting his previous Captain and in-form Craig Bellamy with reasons undisclosed so far. In his absence, former Cardiff City man James Collins was given the captain armband.

It meant another young side and, as usual, a dijointed friendly as the meximum of 6 second half subs were introduced.

Wales: Myhill (Hennessey 46), Gunter, Williams, Collins, Morgan, Bale (Nyatanga 67), Collison (Crofts 71), Davies (Cotterill 64), Vaughan, Evans (Earnshaw 46), Church (Vokes 53).
Subs Not Used: Eardley, Dorman, King.

In front of 8,256 fans, Wales started strongly winning corners with Ched Evans having a shot put behind and Collins seeing a header swept off the line but the visiotrs settled and were denied a rightful lead midway through the half as Toivenon had a goal ruled out for offside when he looked clearly onside, tv repleays confirmed that. Larsson of Birmingham missed by a fraction with a 30 yard free-kick.

However it mattered little as Bolton Wanderers Johan Elmander netted on half-time having a 25 yarder pushed around the post and firing into the top corner from just inside the box as the resulting corner fell his way.

The second half was poor watching and resembled a training session for long periods as it lacked all tempo and urgency, the succession of changes not helping. Both sides went close but the Swedes proved good value for their win. Wales will know they must do much better.

Wales are playing ... so the stars go missing ... AGAIN!

It's all too familiar a tale. Wales are playing and the key players suddenly get injured ... no doubt, they'll be fit next club match.

Many fans feel this weekend's hastily arranged home friendly vs Scotland may have more value as we're playing another home nation but is even more meaningless in reality since they have no qualifiers for another year and it's even more so when our leading players are absent.


Out so far are skipper Craig Bellamy (slight groin injury), Simon Davies (foot) and James Collins (groin). I've spent £80 on match tickets ... more fool me!

Tartan Army Sell Out

Scotland head to South Wales on Saturday week for a friendly against Wales, the first ever international to be held at the new Cardiff City Stadium ... and they'll be there in force.

The Jocks had sold out their initial 2,000 allocation, had it doubled and have now sold out all 4,200 tickets.

Wales, suffering lukewarm support under John Toshack, have so far sold just over 8,000 but remain hopeful they will sell out too as interest picks up next week ... of course, how many of them go to Scotland as well reamins to be seen.

Watch Finland v Wales "high"lights (if you dare) and hear Toshack's thoughts

5 minutes of video … I’m surprised they found that much to show

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8301031.stm

Toshack’s dour summary

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8301103.stm

World Cup qualifier: FINLAND 2 WALES 1

There is good news ... Wales' wretched World Cup campaign is almost over. It ends on Wednesday in Liechenstein.

So much for the good news, the restof it is grim as they fell to their 6th defeat in 9 qualifiers - losing to all of the top 3 of Germany, Russia and Finland home and away guaranteeing 4th spot thanks to our ability to overcome those footballing power houses of Liechenstein and Azerbaijan.


The campaign reached a new low as Wales weren't even able to fill the subs bench and could only call on 4 replacements with the latest crop of injuries and withdrawals ... and retirements! Today's squad also go two lighter to Liechenstein as skipper Craig Bellamy and goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey both earned themselves 1 match bans for dissent ... tactical? Maybe not.

The game is not much to write home about so I'll keep it that way. It was men against boys, literally, as most of the Finns were over 30 while most of the Welsh won under 21 and experience won the day.

Wales made the worst possible start in sunny but chilly Helsinki's Olympic Stadium as Ashley Williams was turned inside the box, Hennessey saved a first shot but the rebound ran kindly for POROKARA who had the easy task of stroking home the follow up.

It looked set for a grim afternoon but Wales ralled and delighted the 1,000 travelling fans in the meagre corwd of 13,000 as Dave Edwards broke clear, squared the ball for CRAIG BELLAMY who beat the defence and finished with aplomb.

Wales were on top but there was no further first half scoring but it all seemed set up for them. However the second 45 minutes was grim football of the lowest order, truly dreadful watching.

When it came to the crunch, The Finns got stronger in the last 20 when you hope the youthfulness of our bouys would come through. Hennessey had to make two good saves but had no chance as a move broke in the box, the otherwise excellent James Collins missed a last ditch challenge and left back MOISANDER toe poked home.

In added time, Wales should have grabbed a draw as Vokes and Bellamy linked to send Dave Edwards racing clear on goal but his effort was straight at Jasskelainen.

Positives? It's the same as the good news ... the campaign is nearly over!

A NEW LOW FOR wALES - WE CAN'T FILL THE SUB'S BENCH FOR A wORLD cUP GAME

Even by Welsh standards, the current World Cup campaign is one of the most miserable in living memory. They have been playing for little more than pride and an attempt to finish higher since midway so, thankfully, the Group games end in the next few days with today's outing in Finland followed by a trip to Liechenstein next Wednesday.


John Toshack has declared them must win as the Red Dragon can still finish third and help their Euro2012 seeding but a sharp reminder of how desparate and laughable it has all become comes into sharp focus later as we cannot even fill the subtsitute's bench.


The never ending run of retirement of senior players since Tosh has been at the helm combined with an always large list of injuries and pull-outs - the current crop include Cardiff City's Joe Ledley (recently involved in a minor public spat with Tosh), Gabbidon, Ricketts, Simon Davies, Collison, Stock, Earnshaw while Cotterill flew home yesterday for personal reasons - means the squad is decimated to just 13 outfield players, nearly all of them kids as well.


There is likely to be at least one spare seat on the bench in Helsinki later and, even then. it will include two goalkeepers.


We're an embarrassment! Just hope those who do represent us do us proud.

WALES v SCOTLAND friendly confirmed for CCS

Following on from weekend rumours, the FAW have now verified that Wales will play a friendly game against Scotland in Cardiff at the new Cardiff City Stadium on Staurday November 14th.



This is likely to be a trial run for the new stadium being used as the main international venue as Wales bid to move games away from Muillennium Stadium as completes a Scottish double as Glasgow giants Celtic officially opened the new stadium for club football in July.

Wales and Scotland last met 5 years ago when Robert Earnshaw at the peak of his powers smashed home a hat trick in a 4 - 0 Millennium Stadium demolition. The last time Cardiff City hosted a football international was 11 years ago when the Red Dragon beat Belarus 3 - 2 at Ninian Park.

Cardiff City Stadium set for first international

It would appear that WALES on the the verge of playing an imminent friendly international against SCOTLAND at the new Cardiff City Stadium as soon as Saturday November 14 as the FAW look set to try out the venue ahead of vacating Millennium Stadium and using the new ground as a regular venue.

The fixture is widely expected to be confirmed this coming midweek.

Gabbidon discusses Welsh loss in Montenegro

Click link to see video interview:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8198574.stm

Friendly: Montnegro 2 Wales 1

A disappointing game and result as Wales fell to defeat in Eastern Europe tonight.


Wales were robbed of what limited experience they had as Craig Bellamy was injured - with his club forgetting to inform John Toshack - while Carl Fletcher announced his retirement on the day they were due to fly. Joe Ledley, stripped of Cardiff City's Capataincy last week, still led his country. It's hard to remember the last time Wales had ideal preparation for any game.

Wales team: Wayne Hennessey, Chris Gunter, James Collins, Ashley Williams, Danny Gabbidon, Sam Ricketts, Jack Collison, Joe Ledley (c), Aaron Ramsey, Simon Church, Rob Earnshaw.


Montenegro are ranked 96th but played beyond that - although they were helped by sloppy Welsh defending and a 'homer' of a ref who bizarrely came from neighbouring Serbia.

Earnie had an effort disallowed and Wales had other chances before they fell behind to an unjust penalty awarded against Danny Gabbidon, brilliant to see him back after 18 months out injured. Gabbi's ring rustiness told again as the home side doubled their lead before the interval with the central defender caught out by a through back.

Early after the break, Sam Vokes pulled one back but Wales rarely threatened again from that point and were indebted to a post and poor shooting to prevent a more decisive margin.

Far too early in the season for a friendly like this, isn't it?

Toshack understandably pleased with win in Azerbaijan

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8087374.stm

WORLD CUP: AZERBAIJAN 0 WALES 1

Although the remaining World Cup campaign is little more than minor interest to Welsh fans, today's well earned, if unspectacular victory in Baku was heartening.

More so as it was again a patchwork side shorn of the likes of Bale, Davies, Koumas, Bellamy, Collins, Gabbidon leaving them to field kids, the average age being 21 with Earnie the elder statesman at 28 and Simon Church getting a promising debut when he hasn't yet started a game for his club side. However it's 2 games as Captain for Joe Ledley and 2 wins, sweet.

Wales: Hennessey, Eardley, Williams, Morgan, Nyatanga, Gunter, Ledley, Ramsey, Edwards, Church Earnshaw

Azerbaijan sensed victory and a crowd of almost 27,000 were present - far more than usual when Wales play there - but the Welsh were the better first half side and took a deserved interval lead as DAVE EDWARDS pounced on a loose ball after a drilled Earnshaw cross was blocked.

The 2nd half was more of a struggle with the boys tiring and on the back foot for the final 20 minutes but despite nervy moments, Wayne Hennessey was never seriously tested and they ground out victory.

Wales remain 4th and unless they perform heroics while others above them slip up, that is also where they are destined to finish a disappointing campaign.

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Germany	6	5	1	0	18	4	14	16
2	Russia	5	4	0	1	9	3	6	12
3	Finland	5	3	1	1	8	7	1	10
4	Wales	7	3	0	4	5	7	-2	9
5	Azerbaijan	5	0	1	4	0	5	-5	1
6	Liechtenstein	6	0	1	5	1	15	-14	1

Friendly: WALES 1 ESTONIA 0 Ledley captains, Earnie scores

With an average age of 21, the youngest Welsh side in history beat Estonia 1-0 in a friendly this evening. It’s a sign of the time the crowd at Llanelli’s rugby ground Parc Y Scarlets was just 4,201 despite all tickets being £5 and £10.

It’s also a sign of the time that a relatively meaningless friendly a month after the season had ended passed me by and I didn’t even find out the result until a couple of hours later. For John Toshack and his Juniors, it was arranged ahead of Wales playing a World Cup qualifier in Azerbaijan on June 6 … and we’re already out of contention for that.

However, for the record, Wales were deserved winners and put on an excellent passing display captained by Cardiff City’s Joe Ledley but a lack of urgency, taking chances and tendency not to shoot meant teams were separated only by ROBERT EARNSHAW’s 26^th minute penalty.

Wales: Myhill (Hennessey 46), Gunter, Bale, Williams, Morgan, Nyatanga, Ledley, Ramsey (Edwards 67), Vokes (Church 59), Earnshaw (Evans 59), Collison (Allen 80), Evans (King 89). Subs Not Used: Price, Tudur Jones, Eardley.

World Cup Qualifier: WALES 0 GERMANY 2

Another World Cup home game, another 2-0 defeat but this time everyone seemed quite happy and cheerful rather than outraged and indulging in the blame game, however what a contrast. After last weekend's gutless 2-0 collapse to Finland, a 26,000 Millennium Stadium crowd and those watching in tv land were heartened by a fighting display in the whole side played well, the team were positive and only German class and efficiency combined with bad luck and terrible officiating saw them fall.


The Red Dragon had their problems pre-game with the fall out of the Finland defeat then Jason Kouumas and Craig Bellamy pulling out, officially with injury. It disrupted John Toshack's plans to make wholesale changes while Simon Davies, who was about to be dropped, instead found himself as Captain while Aaron Ramsey got his first World Cup game in a Welsh side that featured 1 current Bluebird and 4 former ones.


Meanwhile, John Toshack, as if to confirm he got his tactics badly wrong last weekend, overlooked using either of his ageing defensive midfielders of Fletcher and Robinson while Earnie and Vokes were recognised striker if it the formation wasn't a flat 4-4-2. Why the hell didn't he do that against Finland?


Wales: Hennessey, Ricketts, Ashley Williams, Collins, Nyatanga, Davies, Ramsey, Ledley, Bale, Earnshaw, Vokes.
Subs: Myhill, Evans, Fletcher, Cotterill, Gunter, Robinson, Edwards.


Aaron Ramsey put in a mature and classy show and must surely be a permanent resident in the Senior side and he inspired those aroudn him but after a promising start, Wales were rocked by the game's star performer - Chelsea's Michael Ballack blasting a deviating 25 yarder past Wayne Hennessey after 11 minutes. Fanastic shot but you felt the keeper should have got to it.


While Wales collapsed going behind last weekend, they hit back tonight taking the game to the Germans and were denied by an appalling decision midway through the half as Joe Ledley charged into the box, Tasci slipped in front of him and so clearly pushed the ball away with his arm on the ground as Joe was going around him. The Norwegian ref in a perfect position somehow refused a blatant penalty that could/should also have seen the Germans reduced to 10 men.


It remained 1-0 at the interval, Earnie denied at one end, Hennessey making tow good saves at the other but with Wales threatening to get back into the game, hopes was dashed, if not ended, just two minutes into the 2nd half as a German got a lucky rebound off a James Collins challenge and Swansea City man Ashley Williams turned into his own net under no particular pressure. Why couldn't the useless Jacks have done that on Sunday against Cardiff at Ninian Park ... hopefully, he will !!

Earnie was denied as Wales repsonded again but there was to be no consolation. However pride was restored. Maybe that's all we could possibly have hoped for.

Wales 5 (That's FIVE) Luxembourg 1 (oh, it's Under 21's)

The Seniors may be strggling at present but at least The Under 21's provided some light relief with a 5-1 demolition of an outclassed Luxembourg in a match played at Llanelli's new rugby ground, Parc Y Scarlets, in the U21 European Championships.

Wales got their campaign off to a poor start with a 0-0 draw in Luxembourg last Friday night, missing chances to have won at a canter despite not playing well, but they weren't to repeat their failings this evening.

Cardiff City's Darcy Blake featured and was joined by other Bluebirds with defender Aaron Morris making his debut, the promising Jon Brown up front and Neil Taylor in midfield.

The game was done and dusted as a contest with the boys 2-0 ahead inside 12 minutes, it could have been double the score by that point, and 4-0 ahead at half-time with goals through Neil Eardley from the penalty spot with Brown scoring another just 60 seconds later. King added a third befoere skipper Simon Church got another just before the break meeting a Jon Brown cross with a firm header.

Wales were guilty of dropping a gear and becoming lethargic after the interval and had a slight shock when Luxembourg pulled one back just before the hour. The football didn't get any better after that but Wilson completed the scoring 12 minutes from time.

Luxembourg will always be beaten by us but it's commendable to get a result when the number of Under 21's in the Senior Squad is in double figures. Same result for them tomorrow please! :>)

Robbie Savage Sees Red

One thing you can rely on when Wales have a bad run or result is Robbie Savge sticking the boot in. However, at this time, it's hard to find anyone being positive and there is resonance to his remarks.

However I hope his opinion that he expects Wales to get hammered at home to Germany tomorrow is a bit strong. I actually think they'll raise their game and standards and make a reasonable contest although I'm not expecting them to get a result.

Listen to Robbie here:

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7972222.stm

Sunderland Scouting Ledley

Tonight's Newcastle Chronicle newspaper is reporting that Sunderland are hot on the trail of Cardiff City man Joe Ledley and that The Black Cats boss, Ricky Sbragia, will be at Millennium Stadium on Wednesday night to check on Joe playing against Germany in what is now more a friendly than a World Cup qualifier.

Sunderland's troubles before the last transfer window with Roy Keane leaving the club and Sbragia in a caretaker role leaves them playing catch up this summer and they are keen to line up their targets now with Sbragia commenting that, "I had only been in the job a few weeks and had to switch from a situation where I was the coach, looking after the first team, to a manager looking at every other aspect of the club. I had very little time to prepare for the January window, but we didn’t do too bad. We got in Calum Davenport and Tal Ben-Haim but the main aim was about getting players out in order to foster a better team spirit. The next transfer window will be different though."


One of those players he moved out was Michael Chopra with his permanent switch to Cardiff City being cemented this summer and you do have to wonder if Joe going in the opposite direction is one way of funding the deal.


City fans of course will hope Joe stays and this could only signify Premiership football has been attained but with Joe having just 1 year left on his current Bluebirds contract and not keen to sign another unless City get promoted, it is a foregone conclusion he will leave in summer should City fail in the promotion bid via automatics or play-offs.

Wales 0 Finland 2 - the press have their say

Bad Finns Happen & Wales Hopes Go Kuqi
As The Visitors make it 0-2

Wales not ready for finals - Toshack

RTE.ie

Bellamy comes to terms with failure

The Press Association

Bellamy: Wales World Cup hopes are over

WalesOnline

Players need club games - Toshack

BBC News

We can recover insists Toshack

The Press Association

Toshack apologises to fans over poor Wales showing

WalesOnline

Finns go bad to worse for Wales as World Cup hopes go bust

WalesOnline

Wales' World Cup Hopes Slim After 2-0 Defeat

Sky News

Bellamy in despair as World dream dies again

Independent

Qualification blow for Wales

ITV.com

Bellamy writes off Wales's World Cup hopes

AFP

Toshack's dreams dashed

SkySports

European qualifying: Finland still hopeful for 2010

CBC.ca

World Cup Comment: Jari Litmanen- Still A Finnish Force At 38

Goal.com

Finland victory dents Welsh World Cup hopes

Reuters UK

Finland defeats Wales 2-0 to keep its slim World Cup hopes alive

The Canadian Press

Craig Bellamy: I Don't Know Where Wales Go From Here

Goal.com

Welsh World Cup hopes end with a whimper against Finland

Telegraph.co.uk

Wales 0-2 Finland: Kuqi solo goal finishes it

ESPN

Wales Put To The Sword By Clinical Finland

Goal.com

McCormack shines in full Scottish debut

Wales with Joe Ledley had a poor day today but so did Scoland with Bluebirds striker Ross McCormack.

However Roscoe, making his fyll international debut, was widely regarded as Scotland's best player although they were throroughly outplayed in a 3-0 beating in Holland.

The result, though, doesn't stop Ross from taking pleasure and pride in his perosnal efforts.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/international/scotland/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/03/28/SOCCER_Scotland_Quotes.html




One City international man who had a day to remember was WARREN FEENEY who scored Northern Ireland's opener in a 3-2 victory over Poland. Fenney, who is on loan in Scotland, and who will probably never play for City again has served his country well.