Russia match preview

John Toshack leads Wales into Lokomotiv Stadium today to face a very convincing Russian squad. With the series of injuries and shocker retirement of Paul Parry, Wales stern test is complicated with key losses. Russia’s manager Guus Hiddink will employ a voracious attack in contrast to the Dragons who will look to stack the midfield and slow the opposition.

With the injury situation, John Toshack is without Craig Bellamy, Freddy Eastwood, Jason Koumas, James Collins, Danny Gabbidon and Lewin Nyatanga and will borrow heavily upon Brian Flynn’s U-21 squad and we could see upwards of five teenagers in the starting grid.

In considering the task Mr. Toshack commented:

“It will be a tough game but it will tell us a lot more about some of our younger players. But we feel a lot better about the trip now we have three points from Saturday’s win over Azerbaijan.”

He went on to say:

“We know we must try to get something from tough opposition because the aim, somehow by hook or by crook, is to qualify.”

I will report on the match as it concludes. If you are unable to watch the match, it will be live blogged at 4 pm BST.