Post by Salem6 on Nov 16, 2003 11:52:12 GMT
Russia 0-0 Wales
Mark Hughes praised his side's grit and determination after the goalless Euro 2004 play-off draw in Russia.
Wales came into the match having lost four of their last five outings, and were up against a Russian side that had scored freely in the group qualifiers.
Ryan Giggs caused the Russians problems on the break
But the Wales defence held firm to set-up a intriguing second leg in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Wednesday.
"That was a fantastic performance from the boys," Hughes told BBC Sport.
"I don't think many people expected us to get anything from this fixture but the lads were absolutely superb on the night.
"It's only half-time so we've got a lot of work to do for the return leg, but we're in good shape."
He added: "We had a set way of how we wanted to approach the game.
"We knew the threats that they had and we knew we'd get opportunities at the other end.
"The lads stuck to their task and go in amongst them. Russia didn't like the fact that we stood up to them and they'll have a lot of work to be able to get back to where they need to be by Wednesday."
"It's not worth getting all excited because we've got to win on Wednesday" Wales captain Gary Speed.
The match threatened to boil over late in the second half after a bad foul on Ryan Giggs by Vadim Evseev.
In the aftermath, the Russia full-back went down clutching his face after Giggs raised his arm after returning to the pitch after treatment.
Wales captain Gary Speed said he was incensed the tackle went unpunished.
"It was a terrible tackle on Ryan and I don't understand how no-one saw it," said Speed.
"It was a real leg breaker. That's why I was so upset and I think I was booked for my protests.
"But he's lucky it isn't a worse injury. He's limping a bit in the changing room, but I'm sure he'll be fine for Wednesday."
Speed refused to get carried away with the result in Moscow, and said Wales will need to perform even better in Cardiff's return leg.
"We haven't achieved anything yet," Speed stressed. "It's not worth getting all excited because we've got to win on Wednesday.
"We've got to keep a clean sheet again because away goals count and we've got to try to score goals.
"Hopefully we can put them under more pressure than we did tonight.
"We've done half a job and the next half is to be done."
Russia coach Georgy Yartsev claimed his side deserved a goal.
"We played perfectly in defence and managed to neutralize Giggs, and Wales had practically no scoring chances," he said.
"But we lacked luck in front of the Wales goal."
Russia: Ovchinnikov, Evseev, Sennikov, Smertin (Gusev 59), Alenitchev, Ignashevich, Onopko, Loskov, Boulykin, Mostovoi, Sychev (Izmailov 46).
Subs not used: Malafeev, Solomatin, Aldonin, Titov, Kerzhakov.
Booked: Ovchinnikov, Mostovoi.
Wales: Paul Jones, Delaney, Gabbidon, Melville, Barnard, Koumas, Savage, Speed, Johnson, Giggs, Hartson (Blake 83).
Subs not used: Crossley, Symons, Edwards, Robinson, Oster, Earnshaw.
Booked: Delaney, Koumas, Savage, Johnson.
Attendance: 29,000.
Referee: Lucilio Cardoso Cortez Batista (Portugal).
Audio:-
news.bbc.co.uk/media/audio/39574000/rm/_39574091_sport_brownvp.ram
Video:-
news.bbc.co.uk/media/video/39574000/rm/_39574023_sport_hughes_vi.ram
Mark Hughes praised his side's grit and determination after the goalless Euro 2004 play-off draw in Russia.
Wales came into the match having lost four of their last five outings, and were up against a Russian side that had scored freely in the group qualifiers.
Ryan Giggs caused the Russians problems on the break
But the Wales defence held firm to set-up a intriguing second leg in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Wednesday.
"That was a fantastic performance from the boys," Hughes told BBC Sport.
"I don't think many people expected us to get anything from this fixture but the lads were absolutely superb on the night.
"It's only half-time so we've got a lot of work to do for the return leg, but we're in good shape."
He added: "We had a set way of how we wanted to approach the game.
"We knew the threats that they had and we knew we'd get opportunities at the other end.
"The lads stuck to their task and go in amongst them. Russia didn't like the fact that we stood up to them and they'll have a lot of work to be able to get back to where they need to be by Wednesday."
"It's not worth getting all excited because we've got to win on Wednesday" Wales captain Gary Speed.
The match threatened to boil over late in the second half after a bad foul on Ryan Giggs by Vadim Evseev.
In the aftermath, the Russia full-back went down clutching his face after Giggs raised his arm after returning to the pitch after treatment.
Wales captain Gary Speed said he was incensed the tackle went unpunished.
"It was a terrible tackle on Ryan and I don't understand how no-one saw it," said Speed.
"It was a real leg breaker. That's why I was so upset and I think I was booked for my protests.
"But he's lucky it isn't a worse injury. He's limping a bit in the changing room, but I'm sure he'll be fine for Wednesday."
Speed refused to get carried away with the result in Moscow, and said Wales will need to perform even better in Cardiff's return leg.
"We haven't achieved anything yet," Speed stressed. "It's not worth getting all excited because we've got to win on Wednesday.
"We've got to keep a clean sheet again because away goals count and we've got to try to score goals.
"Hopefully we can put them under more pressure than we did tonight.
"We've done half a job and the next half is to be done."
Russia coach Georgy Yartsev claimed his side deserved a goal.
"We played perfectly in defence and managed to neutralize Giggs, and Wales had practically no scoring chances," he said.
"But we lacked luck in front of the Wales goal."
Russia: Ovchinnikov, Evseev, Sennikov, Smertin (Gusev 59), Alenitchev, Ignashevich, Onopko, Loskov, Boulykin, Mostovoi, Sychev (Izmailov 46).
Subs not used: Malafeev, Solomatin, Aldonin, Titov, Kerzhakov.
Booked: Ovchinnikov, Mostovoi.
Wales: Paul Jones, Delaney, Gabbidon, Melville, Barnard, Koumas, Savage, Speed, Johnson, Giggs, Hartson (Blake 83).
Subs not used: Crossley, Symons, Edwards, Robinson, Oster, Earnshaw.
Booked: Delaney, Koumas, Savage, Johnson.
Attendance: 29,000.
Referee: Lucilio Cardoso Cortez Batista (Portugal).
Audio:-
news.bbc.co.uk/media/audio/39574000/rm/_39574091_sport_brownvp.ram
Video:-
news.bbc.co.uk/media/video/39574000/rm/_39574023_sport_hughes_vi.ram