GARY SPEED: Wales CAN Qualify for the World Cup
By Matthew Jones
December 6 2003
Gary Speed witnessed the World Cup draw in Frankfurt, in which his side were drawn alongside England, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan, Poland and Austria. The midfielder said: "We can qualify for the finals. We have a great chance."
CAN WALES QUALIFY?
The midfielder said: "We can qualify for the finals. We have a great chance.
"There is nothing there to be frightened of, and if England do win it, why can't we be runners-up? The rest of the teams are well within us.
"We have just achieved second place in a Euro 2004 group and we would certainly settle for that again in this World Cup qualifier, but England will not fancy coming to Cardiff where we can beat anybody with our full team out. Just ask Italy.
"We have just beaten Azerbaijan twice, there is nothing to fear from Austria, and we produced a really great defensive display in Poland a few years back and were unlucky to lose the return.
"This is just up Mark's [Hughes] street. He will love this group and love the chance to play England.
"Obviously we are all delighted he decided to carry on, and this draw is just the incentive he would have been looking for to justify his decision."
The last time Wales met England was back in 1984 when Hughes made a winning international debut as a player.
"When the ball came out and we were paired with England I honestly thought 'this is fantastic'," said the Wales manager.
"It's been 20 years since England and Wales played. I remember it well because I scored the winning goal that night.
"Obviously England are clear favourites in the group. They will be very happy with the make-up of the group and the teams in it."
Gary Speed witnessed the World Cup draw in Frankfurt, in which his side were drawn alongside England, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan, Poland and Austria.