Pele, perms and penalties

By Tom Bourton BBC Wales News Online

Wales' attempts to reach the Euro 2004 football championship have taken supporters on a journey filled with ecstasy, agony and disbelief.

Mark Hughes is hoping his side will not become the latest nearly men in recent Welsh football history

In pictures

Just a year ago, Italy were humbled at the Millennium Stadium, and the side looked unbeatable - then injuries and a run of poor results saw qualification hopes take a tumble.

Now, after a 0-0 draw out in Russia, the dreams of Mark Hughes' men have come down to one match in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Wednesday night.

But haven't we been here before?

BBC Wales News Online looks back at Welsh successes and failures on the international stage in recent decades.

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June 1958 - World Cup - The last time we qualified
Match action:

Pele scores the only goal as Brazil edge out Wales

Wales finished second in their group behind the hosts Sweden, then beat Hungary in the play-off to set up a quarter-final clash with Brazil. John Charles was sidelined, and a promising 17-year-old striker called Pele scored the only goal in the game to send Wales home.
Who was top of the charts?
Who's Sorry Now by Connie Francis
What was on the front pages this year?

A monkey fired into space by an American Jupiter rocket is lost in the Atlantic

Pope Pius XII dies - Cardinal Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli is elected as John XXIII

The state opening of parliament is televised and broadcast for the first time

Work begins on the Forth road bridge

Prince Charles is created Prince of Wales
How old was Mark Hughes?
It was six years before the Wales manager was even born

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October 1977 - World Cup qualifiers - Don't cry for us, Argentina
Match action:

Joe Jordan handballs in the box, but still wins a penalty

Wales were still in with a chance of reaching the Argentinian finals when they faced Scotland in a home match played Liverpool's Anfield. The nation got angry when Scottish striker Joe Jordan handballed in the box, but Scotland were awarded a penalty. Kenny Dalglish scored a second to add to the pain.
Who was top of the charts?
Silver Lady by David Soul
What was on the front pages this year?

Jimmy Carter becomes US president

Queen Elizabeth celebrates her jubilee as monarch

Hustler publisher Larry Flint is convicted by a court for pandering obscenity and engaging in organised crime

Two jumbo jets collide in the Canary islands - 582 people die in the tragedy

The Orient Express makes its last run across Europe from Paris to Istanbul
How old was Mark Hughes?
He was only 13, but he had already been noticed by the scouts - he signed up at 14 to join the Man Utd youth side

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September 1985 - World Cup qualifiers - No go Mexico
Match action:

Dave Phillips' handball allows Scotland to equalise

Another clash with Scotland ahead of Mexico '86 - this time at Ninian Park. But the match was overshadowed by the tragic death of Scotland boss Jock Stein, who suffered a heart attack. On the pitch, Wales took the lead, but a debatable handball by defender Dave Phillips conceded a penalty to let Scotland equalise.
Who was top of the charts?
Dancing In The Street by David Bowie And Mick Jagger
What was on the front pages this year?

Ronald Reagan is sworn in for a second term

The wreck of the Titanic is found by a team of US and French marine explorers

Riots erupt in the Handworth area of Birmingham

Mexico City is devastated by two earthquakes - it is later estimated that 20,000 people died

The Khmer Rouge announce Pol Pot is retiring as leader of the communist organisation
How old was Mark Hughes?
21 - He partnered Ian Rush up front and scored the opening goal.

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October 1987 - Euro final qualifiers - Away day misery
Match action

Ivo Knoflicek closes in on Neville Southall to put Czechoslovakia 1-0 up

After a great early campaign had put Wales in a wonderful position with two games to go, two tricky away ties proved Wales' undoing and miss out on Germany '88. Successive defeats to Denmark and Czechoslovakia ended the challenge.
Who was top of the charts?
You Win Again by The Bee Gees
What was on the front pages this year?

Margaret Thatcher wins a comfortable majority to secure a third Conservative term

Iran launches a new offensive against Iraq - attacking south of Basra as the war which began in September 1980 continues to rage

Terry Waite disappears in West Beirut

West German pilot Mathias Rust lands a small plane in Moscow's Red Square

Rudolph Hess dies in Spandau prison, at the age of 93 - he had been sole inmate for the last 21 years of his life
How old was Mark Hughes?
24 - He played, but did not find the net.

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October 1993 - World Cup qualifiers - Penalty pain
Match action:

Paul Bodin strikes the penalty - but he hits the bar

Wales needed to beat Romania to book their place at USA '94. Paul Bodin stepped up to take the penalty which would have put them 2-1 ahead. The misery of the miss was soon compounded by a Romanian goal and the dream was over.
Who was top of the charts?
I'll Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) by Meat Loaf
What was on the front pages this year?

Bill Clinton becomes the 42nd US president

New York Trade centre is bombed - five people are killed

The 51-day standoff at Waco ends in tragedy with at least 75 deaths

Drugs cartel leader Pablo Escobar killed in a shoot-out with Columbian soldiers

Manchester and Beijing lose out as Sydney is chosen to host the 2000 Olympics
How old was Mark Hughes?
30 - He had played in the previous match against Cyprus, but missed this game.