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RUSSIA VS WALES PREVIEW
CONFIDENCE may be high but Wales are preparing for a World Cup reality
check when they face Russia on Wednesday.
By WalesOnline sports journalist Blair Wood
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Photo: english.sport-express.ru
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While far from convincing, Saturday's 1-0 win over Azerbaijan
got the Welsh qualifying campaign for 2010 off to an ideal start. And,
with three points in the bag, John Toshack's men are heading to Moscow
with a genuine belief that they can get a result.
But Russia will provide an entirely different test of their qualification
credentials. Guus Hiddink's side will, without a doubt, provide the acid
test for Welsh hopes.
With the likes of the much-coveted Andrei Arshavin and Tottenham's new
?14m man Roman Pavlyuchenko in their ranks, the Russians have one of the
most potent strike-forces around. And, as their performances in Euro 2008
illustrated, Hiddink has quality running throughout his team.
Nevertheless the Welsh camp remain confident they can get something out
of their trip to Moscow. But what was already a daunting task has been
made all the more difficult by a number of well-documented blows Toshack
has been forced to endure over the past week.
The latest development, Paul Parry's shock decision to announce his international
retirement just two days before the game, was probably the hardest pill
for the Wales manager to swallow. It was the last thing anyone involved
with Welsh football expected and, after that, you could forgive Toshack
for wondering what could possibly come next.
Following injuries to the influential duo of Craig Bellamy and Jason Koumas,
Parry's absence will complete a hat-trick of key withdrawals. The winger
might not be as pivotal as the latter duo but his departure will further
restrict Wales' already limited attacking options.
With Bellamy still lacking full match fitness after six months out with
groin and abdominal problems, Koumas had been expected to provide the
main threat for Wales on Wednesday. But the Wigan man needed three painkilling
injections just to play against Azerbaijan at the weekend and Toshack's
worst fears were confirmed on Sunday as the midfielder was ruled out of
the trip to Moscow.
As for Parry, according to reports in the media, the Cardiff man had been
lined up to lead Wales' attack at the Lokomotiv Stadium. But his unexpected
decision has left Toshack looking for Plan C.
Wales' problems haven't just been confined to their attack though. And,
as disappointing as the losses of Koumas and Parry will have been, Toshack
will still be more concerned about his defence going into Wednesday's
game.
With his first choice centre back pairing of James Collins and Danny Gabbidon
both still injured, Tosh will probably have to rely on a back four in
which 19-year-old Gareth Bale is the most experienced player internationally.
Craig Morgan and Ashley Williams are likely to continue in the heart of
Wales' defence. And the duo have looked reasonably assured in their first
few outings together.
But the likes of Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko will represent a serious step-up
in opposition compared to the Azerbaijani strike-force. And Wales will
have to defend like an 11-man unit if they are to get anything out of
this game.
Should they pull it off, Wales will well and truly have put themselves
in the frame for World Cup qualification. And, while acknowledging how
difficult it will be, Toshack is refusing to accept defeat.
'This will be a completely different sort of game to the one against Azerbaijan,'
he said. 'We have to think very carefully about how to approach it.
'But we are a lot better going to Moscow with three points than we would
have been had we not beaten Azerbaijan. By hook or by crook, we will also
try to get something "
Sport
Express Daily, 09 Sep 2008
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