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Thursday, 14 February, 2002, 14:53 GMT
A new era for Welsh football?
Wales' 1-1 draw with World Cup favourites Argentina delights over 60,000 fans at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Is this a new beginning for Welsh football? Coming after their first win under Mark Hughes against Belarus, the stirring display has given Welsh fans new hope for the future. John Hartson and Craig Bellamy formed a potent threat up front, while Simon Davies, Mark Delaney and Carl Robinson have shown what the young guns can do. And Hughes can call on the experience of Gary Speed, Robbie Savage, Ryan Giggs and Paul Jones to provide the backbone. Will the Euro 2004 qualifiers be a successful campaign for Wales?
I am always puzzled why Wales do so badly in international competition. They have very good players in John Hartson, Ryan Giggs and Bellamy. There is no reason why they are outside the world's top 100.
I went to see the match on Wednesday as well, and thought it was brilliant, the lads really did us proud this time, and it could be very promising for the future. As long as we get a bit more practice as a team it could bode well for us in qualifying for Euro 2004 (maybe).
At least the lads put a smile on Welsh football fans, and proved the rest of the world who thought we would get thrashed wrong!
What a difference a home game against world renowned opposition makes!! At home to Argentina, everyone wants to play. A World Cup qualifying match in 'longway to go-istan' and everyones got 'hamstring' problems, or need to rest a 'troublesome knee'.
Full marks to Sparky and the men in red who gave a display that makes one feel proud, .... but where oh where are they all when their country really need them!
I was there on Wednesday night and witnessed a memorable game. Everyone in a red shirt on the pitch played their socks off from start to finish. The attitude was positive and the determination was superb! Argentina started playing the 'exhibition' game but our boys were having none of it. Savage was a good choice for Man of the Match, but all of the boys deserved it.
For the future - Hartson needs support to receive the 'knock downs', he is capable of getting the high ball but someone has to be there to bury it. Many thanks to the Welsh squad, the FAW and the Argentina squad for a great night in the capital!
Well done to Wales for a great game but what is Alex Ferguson's' problem with Ryan Giggs? Why has he only been allowed to play for one game and 60 mins for Wales in friendly matches during his career? Does sir Alex have something against us Welsh?
It seems strange when the likes of Veron, Beckham, Scholes, Kean and Van Nistelrooy can all play for their countries as much as is required. Come on Fergie give us Giggs. It's not as though we have many good replacements for him and playing him will only increase the popularity of Welsh football.
The Argentina game proved what many fans had been hoping for - that the forward line of Giggs, Hartson, Bellamy and Davies can trouble any defence in the world. Admittedly, it was not a full strength Argentinean side but against a midfield of Veron and Riquelme Wales can be pleased to have created as many chances as the visitors. Although Page and Melville had their best games for a while on Wednesday, the defence is still the concern. We'll just have to beat the Italians 5-4 instead of 1-0!
A great result, but unfortunately we have a very weak defence and no depth. It has become very evident that tournament or knock out style football requires a strong defence first, with flair up front being the icing on the cake.
Italy have proven this time and again in big tournaments, and Bayern Munich and Liverpool were very successful last year with this concept in mind. With modern footballers being so injury prone we will also struggle unless we are extremely lucky.
With players like Giggs and Bellamy Wales do have the ability to be a successful side. But let's not get carried away with this result. The Argentines were nowhere near their full strength side, and to talk of this result as ushering in a new era is foolish. When the Welsh beat the Germans in the 1990s, did it suddenly transform them in to a top footballing nation? I think not. Let's keep this in perspective
A very encouraging game. It was obvious for the first ten minutes that Argentina had class on the ball, but once we started to pressure and chase the opposition, we had as much of the chances as they did. I just hope that the FAW can tempt Mark Hughes to stay for the long term - as it can't be too long until a big club comes for him if Wales continue to improve. Well done boys.
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