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Wales' hopes of World Cup qualification
have probably subsided after a 3-2 loss at home to Poland.
The Poles came back from 1-0 down after a superb 55th minute
goal from Robert Earnshaw and counter attacked to catch
Wales three times. A late goal off substitute John Hartson's
shoulder wasn't enough. This leaves Wales with an almost
impossible task and would have to beat England at home Poland
away, Austria twice, Northern Ireland away and Azerbaijan
at home,
Wales started brightly however and absorbed
the loss of Ryan Giggs by switching his team back to a 4
4 2 and replaced John Hartson with West Brom's Robert Earnshaw.
Robert Savage was back in central midfield alongside Speed
and Jason Koumas played on the left in place of Giggs.Young
James Collins was chosen to play alongside Gabbidon in the
centre of defence and Mark Delaney resumed his right back
role.
Bellamy and Earnshaw caused Poland problems
in the first half and always looked likely to score with
support in attack from Simon Davies and Koumas. Gary Speed
and Robbie Savage anchored the midfield and gave great protection
to the young back duo of Gabbidon and Collins.
Wales played as well as they have since
beating Italy at home on that memorable night. It was therefore
slightly disappointing to go in at half time 0-0 although
a clean sheet is always desired.
The red dragons were slow to regain their
rhythm but Poland were lulled into indecision and it was
Earnshaw who capitalised on a defensive mistake to calmly
finish with the outside of his right foot. At this point
Wales were in the driving seat but strangely Robbie Savage
decided to become more involved in attack in search of a
second but this only exposed the centre backs.
15 minutes later the Poles found themselves
through with Frankowski one on one with James Collins and
the Cardiff rookie was again exposed and was turned inside
out while Jones was beaten by a great finish.
At this point Poland assumed control
and were able to slice Wales apart through midfield as Speed
was replaced by Hartson.Two counter attacks later and Wales
dreams were shattered.
The Welsh fans were gutted at throwing
away this game and will look on pensively as to who will
be the new Manager to replace Mark Hughes who is now manger
of Blackburn.
Wales Poland
Paul Jones Jerzy Dudek
Mark Delaney Marcin Baszcyznski
Ben Thatcher Tomasz Hajto
Daniel Gabbidon Radoslav Kaluzny
James Collins Kamil Kolowski
Simon Davies Jacek Krzynowek
Gary Speed Tomasz Rzasa
Jason Koumas Miroslaw Szymkowiak
Craig Bellamy Piotr Wlodarczyk
Robert Earnshaw Maciej Zurawski
Subs
John Hartson 79th Mila 68
Denzil Parry 86th Klos 46
Frankowski 69
1 Paul Jones
12 James Collins
2 Mark Delaney
5 Daniel Gabbidon
3 Ben Thatcher7 Simon Davies17 Jason Koumas Robbie Savage10
Gary Speed8 Craig Bellamy18 Robert Earnshaw Jerzy Dudek
Jacek Bak 20
Marcin Baszcyznski
Tomasz Hajto
Radoslav Kaluzny
Kamil Kosowski
Jacek Krzynowek 18
Tomasz Rzasa 5
Miroslaw Szymkowiak
Piotr Wlodarczyk
Maciej Zurawski
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