With Reading’s Simon Church earning his first international cap, Wales encountered a stubborn host side and within a difficult playing environment John Toshack’s side did extremely well keeping emotions in check. To many the match had a sharper tone to this with the Azerbaijan side both highly physical and the beneficiary of a series obvious calls not being called. After a few reasonable chances Wales took the lead three minutes before the break as Azerbaigan ‘keeper Farhad Veliyev pushed a cross out but the ball fell to Wolverhampton’s David Edwards to scuttled the ball in. Down by one the hosts poured forward keeping Wales under constant pressure but once again it was another Wolves man who came to the rescue, this time ‘keeper Wayne Hennessey turning aside a number of chances. Despite the pressure Wales left Baku with the 1-0 victory.

In stressing a team victory John Toshack told BBC Sport Wales after the match:

“I think we are pleased to have got a positive result, particularly under the circumstances.

“In view of the absentees which has been well documented, I think the side did ever so well.

“I don’t want to pick out any player, they were all excellent.

“But Simon Church on his full debut gave us everything he had. He ran and worked all night and can be very happy with his display.”

After considerable thought and debate this will serve as my final post. If you care to apply for this blog please contact Daryl with The Offside (click here) after reviewing the guidelines at www.theoffside.com/bloggers.

Nottingham Forest’s elder statesman Robert Earnshaw, at the well preserved ancient age of twenty-eight will lead the youth troop in Baku with young guns Chris Gunter, Joe Ledley and Aaron Ramsey in tow. For Wales this is most certainly a “learning experience” where they learn to compete in the line of fire with management knowing full-well that many players are years off from their prime. While showing fine patience and discipline in the most recent match against Estonia, they need to slowly build their confidence and learn to attack.

For Wales supporters this is an intriguing look at the younger players development Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder David Edwards, Leicester City’s Andy King, Joe Allen of Swansea City and Reading striker Simon Church getting a chance to prove their worth on the international stage.

With chances of qualifying for the World Cup cast aside it is time for John Toshack to lay the foundation for the future. As the score would suggest finishing was below par but in-truth much of the match this was more of a “under” side getting some important playing time before next weeks visit of Azerbaijan. That said, Wales did create the majority of scoring chances and just need to find their “shooting boots” as early efforts by Robert Earnshaw and Chris Gunter were dreadful. More dreadful than the finish was a horrendous handball call on Estonia’s Alo Bärengrub with the spot being pointed to five minutes shy of the half hour. This time, Robert Earnshaw made now mistake as he drove the ball to the back of the net giving Wales the 1-0 lead. Efforts came and went and as the score suggests, neither side was able to find the needed touch as the match concluded without further incident.

Following the match, John Toshack noted his satisfaction with the performance:

“We needed this run-out ahead of the World Cup game, it was important.”

Of the upcoming Azerbaijan he echoed the learning curve of his young side:

“It will be interesting to see how they cope because it will be a hostile place and very hot.

“I have never fielded such a young side as that, certainly not at club level. I would have gone out and bought half a dozen players by now.

“We will find a match that will be a good character builder for them all.”

With Manchester City’s Craig Bellamy absent due to injuries, striking duties were left to Nottingham Forest’s Robert Earnshaw and young Sam Vokes of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Showing a hearty work-rate, Wales were no pushover to the efficient Germans put gave up the lead eleven minutes in when Michael Ballack drove the ball in from thirty metres. The goal was a highly controversial one as Germany was awarded a thrown-in just before the strike in a clear error by the linesman. Wales went on the hunt for the equalize and showing bales Aaron Ramsey, who left Cardiff City for Arsenal this past summer, was the architect of a number of attacking volleys. Forest’s Robert Earnshaw came close mid way of the half before Hannover 96 ‘keeper Robert Enke denied him in the final moment. Wales hearty effort continued but misfortune fell their way three minutes into the new half as Swansea City defender Ashley Williams re-directed Mario Gómez’s cross in. Down by two, Wales searched for a way back in but Germany was clear cut in their tactics and ground the match down without further incident.

A tough loss for the Dragons but one that a great deal of pride can be had from a tenacious performance. In the long process of building for the future, this match will serve as a key cornerstone.

There is little denying that after Wales pithy 2-0 loss to Finland on Saturday John Toshack’s side has faced the grim reality that despite gads of promise, an appearance in South Africa is looking very unlikely. While the team needs to, well act like a team and pull in its ranks, criticism from within has reared its ugly head. The managers choice to stack the midfield and use Manchester City’s Craig Bellamy has come under significant scrutiny. Sounding very much like a Fletcher Christian-esque scene, a number of players suggested the attacking pressure wasn’t sufficient. While true to an extent, ball control wasn’t the issue but instead the play-making touch in the final third.

In response to the criticism John Toshack has noted varying levels of fitness and per the BBC, pointing out Gareth Bale, Chris Gunter and Jason Koumas needing playing greater time with their various clubs. That aside Wales is likely to face the Germans with Wigan’s Jason Koumas and Hwlffordd-native Simon Davies, who plays for Fulham, likely out.

Per the Bundesliga web-site, German coach Joachim Löw spoke of Wales.

“The Welsh wanted to improve their position with two home wins during this week of qualifiers, but it didn’t happen. Against us they will try to use the loss to Finland as motivation. They have to beat us to still have a theoretical chance to qualify, so they’ll have to play more offensively than usual. I hope that will create more space for us to use on the pitch. We want to get three points and keep our spot as group leader into the summer break. But its obvious that Wales is a different caliber team than Liechtenstein.”

Thoughts of qualifying aside, Wales must summon the courage against the formidable Germans. In referring their tight 1-0 loss this past October in Mönchengladbach, West Ham’s James Collins said:

“As long as we go into it with a bit of confidence and playing like we did over there, there’s no reason we can’t get a result.”

That basic plan came unraveled today as Wales lost 2-0 to Finland at Millennium Stadium. With the defeat Wales chances of making an appearance fade to the dimmest of hopes as they now stand fourth in the table with an extra match played. The Finnish side, sporting a starting eleven with only four players under the age of thirty displayed a patient style befitting their experience. Whilst Wales went forward with strong ball possession before the break it was without a serious attacking threat. Wales best scoring chance came through heated runs by Manchester City resurgent striker Craig Bellamy but the final provision could not break through the veteran Finn defenders. Slowly the visitors patience began to pay off. Efforts by Mikael Forssell of Hannover 96 forced Wolves ‘keeper Wayne Hennessey into action with Sami Hyypiä doing the same moments later. However two minutes before the break Jari Litmanen, most notably of Ajax but now winding his career down with FC Lahti, sent a through ball to Jonatan Johansson and the Hibernian striker promptly gave Finland the 1-0 lead. Wales looked a morsel heavy legged after the break and looking for great pace and vision Aaron Ramsey was brought in for David Edwards just before the hour mark. However the day wasn’t Wales as any launch forward was snuffed out before it could be a menacing threat. With Carl Robinson and Robert Earnshaw entering the match, Wales continued the search for the equalizer but it was the Finnish side that created more of concern and as time wound down Dynamo Kyiv’s Roman Eremenko provided Shefki Kuqi the ball to which the Crystal Palace made no mistake with and sealed a 2-0 defeat of Wales.

Wales returns to play on Wednesday as Germany visits Millennium Stadium.

Since joining Manchester City from the Hammers, Craig Bellamy has quickly become the Citizens top scoring threat and shown restored confidence under Mark Hughes. However of-late his concerns over his knee have thwarted his efforts but all appears go after Monday evenings training season.

John Toshack might not be so lucky with Swansea’s Ashley Williams and Cardiff City midfielder Joe Ledley as both are a bit road weary with the Swans man has been on the pitch for every minute of their campaign. Additionally out for the Finland and upcoming match against Germany is Peterborough defender Craig Morgan and Hammers duo Danny Gabbidon and the brilliant young midfielder Jack Collison.

Resting in third place of Group F, tied with Russia but with an extra match played Wales backs is against the proverbial wall and if they are to qualify they will need to pull off the heartiest of upsets against the Germans. For the Finland and Germany matches John Toshack has named the following squad:

Wayne Hennessey (Wolves), Boaz Myhill (Hull), Owain Fon Williams (Stockport), Gareth Bale (Tottenham), James Collins (West Ham), Neal Eardley (Oldham), Chris Gunter (Nottingham Forest), Lewin Nyatanga (Derby), Sam Ricketts (Hull), Ashley Williams (Swansea), Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough), Simon Davies (Fulham), David Edwards (Wolves), Carl Fletcher (Plymouth), Owain Tudur Jones (Swindon), Jason Koumas (Wigan), Joe Ledley (Cardiff), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Carl Robinson (Toronto), Craig Bellamy (Manchester City), David Cotterill (Sheffield United), Robert Earnshaw (Nottingham Forest), Ched Evans <a href=”http://mancity.theoffside.com”), Sam Vokes (Wolves).

As a friendly both Wales’ John Toshack and Poland’s Leo Beenhakker used the match as an opportunity to experiment with the lineup. For Wales the opportunity was clear, to blend in younger players such as Chris Gunter (Tottenham), Gareth Bale (Tottenham), Jack Collison (West Ham) and Ched Evans (Manchester City) with veterans Sam Ricketts (Hull City) and Craig Bellamy (Manchester City).

After a strong start by the sturdy Polish side in-which they came close to opening the scoring, Wales slowly gained confidence and through the attacking spirit of skipper Craig Bellamy, seemingly re-invigorated by Mark Hughes of Manchester City, they started to threaten the Poland’s ‘keeper Łukasz Fabiański (Arsenal). By the half hour mark the young Welsh side was brimming with attacking spirit with Cardiff City’s Joe Ledley and another of Mark Hughes protege’s Ched Evans, showing strong intent but the match went to the break without a score.

At the break Wales called upon Sam Vokes (Wolverhampton), Boaz Myhill (Hull City), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Carl Fletcher and David Cotterill entered for Craig Bellamy, Wayne Hennessey,Jack Collison, Joe Ledley and Ched Evans. Without surprise young Mr. Ramsey showed a cutting edge and vision to the attack from the get-go. However they couldn’t find a way past Polish ‘keeper extraodinaire Artur Boruc (Celtic) who had entered at the break. Finally with ten minutes remaining, São Paulo native and former Corinthians man chipped a perfect shot from the edged of the area that faded over Boaz Myhill and into the goal to give Poland the 1-0 victory.

For Wednesday’s friendly against Poland in Portugal the manager has called upon the following players:

Goal
Wayne Hennessey (Wolverhampton), Boaz Myhill (Hull City), Owain Fon Williams (Stockport County)

Defender
Gareth Bale (Tottenham),Neal Eardley (Oldham),Chris Gunter (Tottenham), Lewin Nyatanga (Derby County), Sam Ricketts (Hull City), Ashley Williams (Swansea City>), Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough / Loan Burnley)

Midfield
Jack Collison (West Ham), Andrew Crofts (Peterborough), David Edwards (Wolverhampton), Carl Fletcher (Crystal Palace), Owain Tudur Jones (Swansea City), Joe Ledley (Cardiff City), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), David Vaughan (Blackpool)

Striker
Craig Bellamy (Manchester City), David Cotterill (Sheffield United), Ched Evans (Manchester City), Sam Vokes (Wolverhampton)

Originally named to the squad the following players have been ruled out due to injury:
Craig Davies (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Craig Morgan (Peterborough United)
Simon Davies (Fulham)
Robert Earnshaw (Nottingham Forest)
Jason Koumas (Wigan Athletic)
James Collins (WHU)

In related news the U21 match between Northern Ireland and Wales on Tuesday 10th February 2009 has been canceled due to poor weather conditions.

FAW secretary David Collins said to the BBC of the extension:

“John has done a terrific job in bringing the youngsters forward to a point that we now can compete at the highest level.”

“The team is going through a very, very steep curve as far as the potential of the youngsters is concerned,” said Collins.

“We now look forward to the latter part of the present campaign for the World Cup in 2010 and certainly look forward to the Euro 2012 with great hope that we can at last qualify for a major finals.

“You can take it that the fact that the FAW have extended John’s contract, they are 100 per cent sure he can get us there.”

“You can see from the work that he’s done with the young players coming through, we are now turning out to be a tremendously useful side and I don’t think that would have been the case without John.

“We are delighted with the progress Wales are making under John and (U-21 coach) Brian Flynn and long may it last.”

Wales returns to play next week in a friendly against Poland.