Double Defeat for Struggling Welsh
Played In Vienna
By Chris O'Brien
April 4 2005
With Cardiff City staring relegation in the face, things did not get any better for Bluebirds on international duty with Wales. A duo of defeats to Austria have left qualification a mathematical impossibility as James Collins and Daniel Gabbidon both bolstered their cap tally.
Two defeats in five days have left Wales' chances for qualifying for the 2006 World Cup a mathematical impossibility, and already piled pressure on new boss John Toshack with small sections of fans aiming abuse at the former Jacks manager..
A 2-0 reverse at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday has been followed by an unlucky 1-0 defeat in Vienna on Wednesday to keep Wales on just 2 points from 6 qualifying matches, with a pride battle with British rivals Northern Ireland all that is left for supporters of Wales.
Wales 0-2 Austria
Saturday, 26th March 2005
Wales went into this game played in front of 47,760 knowing they needed to
beat their Austria counterparts twice to keep any slim hopes of qualifying for
Germany faintly alive. The retirement of Gary Speed from international football
and the unexpected and controversial departure of Robbie Savage made this look
an even tougher task, and it was evident from the offset that Wales were in for
a difficult ride.
Austria were slightly better in the first-half with more clear cut chances. Wales had opportunities but struggled to create many opportunities with the one-man forward line of John Hartson rather ineffective. Substitute Ivica Vastic and Stuttgart's Martin Stranzl netted late goals in the closing minutes to secure a vital away win for Austria and all but eliminate Wales from the competition at only the half-way point.
Daniel Gabbidon played the whole game for the Bluebirds at centre-half but it was his mistake that led to Austria's winning goal. A mix-up with former team-mate Robert Page saw Gabbidon simply let the ball roll to Stranzl who couldn't believe his luck and bundled the ball home with an acute finish. This followed a belting drive from Vastic that had given the Austrians a deserved lead in front of a few hundred of their own supporters.
Austria 1-0 Wales
Wednesday, 30th March 2005
A game in contrast to the Millennium Stadium clash, Wales were unlucky to lose
in Vienna and had only a late, foolish goalkeeping blunder from Danny Coyne to
blame for not picking up at least a point. A much improved Wales side were
better than the hosts but couldn't find the target and now find qualifying hopes
a mathematical impossibility.
Wales' weak area had been the defence which looked shaky throughout, but a back
four including Gabbidon and James Collins had held out until the closing stages.
A long-range effort from Rene Aufhauser bobbled underneath a jumping Coyne
whilst at the other end Helge Payer had been tremendous between the sticks for
the Austrians. The home side also had a let off as Craig Bellamy's early goal
was ruled out.
The win, watched by 29,500, kept Austria in touch with run-away group leaders England and Poland meaning Group F is not yet a forgone conclusion. For Wales, it was a much improved performance but having only taken two draws and four defeats thus far, things are not good enough. Drastic changes are needed.
Group F:
As for the other's in the group, England had to wait until the second-half before sticking four past Northern Ireland and then went onto beat Azerbaijan 2-0 at St.James' Park in back-to-back home games. The Ulstermen were unlucky not to claim a point in Poland, losing in similar fashion to Wales in Vienna with a late goal, and though qualification is still mathematically possible for Lawrie Sanchez's side, group F is now certainly a three horse race. Poland were ineffective against the Northern Irish, yet they had put an amazing eight goals past Azerbaijan on the Saturday to bolster their goal difference and claim three valuable points.
| # | P | W | D | L | F | A | Points | |
| 1. | England | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 16 |
| 2. | Poland | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 5 | 15 |
| 3. | Austria | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 8 | 11 |
| 4. | Northern Ireland | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 3 |
| 5. | Wales | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 2 |
| 6. | Azerbaijan | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 14 | 2 |
So, it's the end of another qualifying campaign already. Wales still have four games left, with the rather interesting visit of England to the Millennium Stadium next up. A visit to Windsor Park is also one fans will look forward to, and a rivalry for highest spot with the flamboyant Ulster supporters is all that will keep Dragons supporters going after another dismal qualification attempt ends in early failure. Those victories in Finland and at home to Italy seem a long, long time ago.