No wonder the Welsh are morose. England fans think they have it bad, but a solitary appearance at the 1958 World Cup finals is all Wales have to show for a 132 year history. Judging by this afternoon’s evidence they won’t be bucking that trend any time soon.
Wales made hard work of what should, even by their standards, have been an easy game. Azerbaijan are ranked 138th in the world – that’s 12 places below Kyrgyzstan – and although they put in a spirited display, with a line-up comprising exclusively professional footballers, Wales should really have put paid to the plucky Azeris.
Credit where it’s due to John Toshack for experimenting with a lone striker for 20 minutes after Rob Earnshaw went off injured. The brave tactician threw caution to the wind in the 80th minute, bringing on 18-year-old striker Sam Vokes and reverting to 4-4-2. Toshack’s cavalier tactical nouse paid dividends only 3 minutes later as Vokes stole in to tuck away the winner.
Welsh fans displayed an eery sense of foresight by staying away in their droves this afternoon. Only 32,000 made it along to a typically rainy and windswept Millennium Stadium. With a trip to Russia next Wednesday it’s unlikely today's performance will have (Toshack look-alike) Guus Hiddink quaking in his snow boots.
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