Cyprus 3 Wales 1: Contrite Toshack considers his future
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Your support makes all the difference.John Toshack last night questioned his position as Wales manager after a defeat which he described as a "débâcle". Wales were a shambles and after the match the 58 year-old manager said: "I will have to have a long hard look at myself and what I am doing here. After what I have seen in this match I am obviously doing something wrong."
With qualification for Euro 2008 out of the question before this game, Craig Bellamy's decision to lead out Wales 10 days after a groin operation appeared a sign that a poor campaign had not killed off their fighting spirit. Alas, for Wales, after going ahead with James Collins' first goal for his country after 20 minutes, the defence fell apart.
Wales conceded three times inside 20 second-half minutes; two goals from Cyprus striker, Yiannis Okkas, and another from Konstantinos Charalampidis doing the damage. Okkas was also denied a goal after a marginal off-side decision went against him.
Toshack is believed to be under no pressure from the FA of Wales over his position with more than two years of his contract to run. But Wales were so poor and disorganised, questions are bound to be asked. "I was bitterly disappointed by the performance and want to apologise to our fans who made the trip out here to watch this debacle," said Toshack. "Cyprus were worthy winners and we were fortunate to be 1-0 up at the break.
"We tried to make some changes at the break but went from bad to worse. It was a shocking performance and we did not compete in any areas of the pitch. We were second best everywhere. It was very, very disappointing to watch that."
Cyprus.....................Georgallides
Okkarides......... Satsias lia......... Michail .........
Paraskevas ......... Garpozis......... Makridis......... Nicolau.........
......... Aloneftis......... Okkas.........
astwood......... Bellamy.........
Davies......... Robinson......... Ledley......... Nyatanga
Bale......... Gabbidon......... Collins......... Ricketts
Wales......... Coyne
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