Croke defeat embarrasses Toshack

Manager John Toshack was surprised by Wales' capitulation

Group D: Wales v San Marino
Date: Wednesday, 28 March
Kick-off: 2000 BST
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Listen: BBC Radio Wales & Radio Cymru
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John Toshack admits he was "embarrassed and hurt" by Wales' 1-0 defeat away to the Republic of Ireland on Saturday.

That made it almost impossible to qualify for Euro 2008, although Wales can keep slim hopes alive by beating San Marino in Cardiff on Wednesday.

"There were people at the match I would like to have impressed and to approve of my work," the Wales manager said.

"I was hurt and embarrassed. They were entitled to think: 'What has he been doing for two and a half years?'"

Several top-line British managers were at Croke Park, including Aston Villa's Martin O'Neill, to watch Stephen Ireland's first-half goal give the Republic victory.

However badly Wales played, Toshack has rounded on suggestions that his players were not trying.

"As for my players being criticised for not trying, that's not right. I know these players and I do not consider that suggestion even an option for them," Toshack added.

"I know my team well enough to know saying something like that is not right."

Losing to San Marino is an unthinkable result Wales boss John Toshack

Wales now desperately need to boost confidence in Group D and beat San Marino at the Millennium Stadium.

"I accept responsibility 100 per cent. We will not throw in the towel and we know we could have done better," Toshack said.

"Yes, losing to San Marino is an unthinkable result. But we have to believe we can make up these points and there will always be twists and turns. We have to think that way, it is as simple as that.

"None of us were happy with our performance. We did not create anything. We know we can do better.

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"But let's not forget what happened in the previous regime. They went two years and 10 competitive games without a victory.

"People forget, if we win on Wednesday it will be four wins in seven competitive matches. Those are the facts.

"We lost a lot of very experienced players when I took over and for the Dublin game we were missing another half-dozen of our front-line players.

"Excuses are not my style, but you have to point out the facts, that's how I feel. We have lost a lot of experience, and that makes it even more difficult."

The poor show in qualifying so far has had a knock-on effect on ticket sales for Wednesday's nights game and, as of Monday, just 15,000 tickets had been sold.

Wales midfielder Jason Koumas says the game with San Marino should be held at Cardiff City's Ninian Park home instead of the 72,500 capacity Millennium Stadium in the city.

"It'll be surreal, none of us can understand why the game isn't at Ninian where the atmosphere would be better and more intimidating," said Koumas.

The Football Association of Wales insists the stadium decision is right.

"We have to hold competitive games at the Millennium Stadium," said FAW secretary general David Collins.

"If we had got a good start to our qualification campaign we would have filled the ground. I just hope that the fans will come out and support us on Wednesday."

Koumas, who is set to return to the team after being suspended for Saturday's 1-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland in Dublin, was a hero at Ninian Park during a year-long loan at Cardiff last season.

He has continued to shine since returning to West Brom, and is the focus for Wales' hopes of boosting a miserable qualifying campaign.