Giggs promises San Marino mauling

Giggs believes Wales can still qualify for the Euro 2008 finals

Group D: Wales v San Marino
Date: Wednesday, 28 March
Kick-off: 2000 BST
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Listen: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Wales & Radio Cymru
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Wales captain Ryan Giggs has vowed to respond to Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifying defeat in Dublin by beating San Marino in style on Wednesday.

"We were hurt by the Ireland result and the performance," said Giggs.

"The only way to rectify that is to produce a positive performance on Wednesday. We're expected to win and to win well, and we will do that.

"San Marino have become a better team over the years, but still, we should be beating these teams."

Wales produced an inept attacking performance in Saturday's 1-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland, with Giggs falling way short of the level of performance he has been producing for Manchester United this season.

But the 33-year-old dismissed out of hand any questioning of his effort and approach in Croke Park, insisting players can not "turn it off and on" on a whim.

It did not even go through my head that I should step away from the situation now Wales captain Ryan Giggs

He added: "You have got to try to play well all the time because that breeds confidence.

"Anyone who knows the characters of the individuals concerned within the team, knows what was said is not right."

Saturday's defeat to Ireland leaves Wales seven points outside the Group D qualifying places with just one win from their first four games.

But Giggs, who will win his 62nd cap for Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Wednesday, believes reaching the finals in Austria and Switzerland next summer is still a realistic goal.

"Qualification is not over," said Giggs. "We have San Marino twice, a lot of home games and the Czechs here [in Cardiff] in June.

"If we can get nine points going into next season then we are still in with a chance."

Despite the poor start to the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, Giggs insists retiring from international duty has not entered his mind.

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And even if this campaign ends in another failure, Giggs made it clear he aims to be around for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, which begin in September 2008.

He said: "It did not even go through my head that I should step away from the situation now, not for one second.

"I've always said that I will be involved as long as I am enjoying it. And that means the 2010 World Cup campaign.

"I still enjoy the challenge of producing my form for Wales. As long as my fitness is good, I'm injury free, I will carry on.

"At the moment it will need someone to tell me I should stop, it won't be something I will suggest.

"As for switching from United to Wales, I wouldn't say I find it awkward, but it is different stepping into the Wales set-up.

"You go from having the majority of the ball, week-in-week-out, to play in games when you are not going to get as much of the ball.

"When you do get it you have to be more effective and use it wisely.

"It's different, but it's a responsibility I have had ever since I came into the team, because that is what is expected of me and what I expect of myself.

"There are players here who are fighting relegation, but you have to forget about the last game for your club, I do, when you come away with Wales."