Azerbaijan 0-1 Wales

Dave Edwards' second international goal was enough for a young and depleted Wales side to secure a narrow World Cup qualifying win in Baku.

The Wolves midfielder made the most of panic in the box three minutes before the break to fire into an empty net.

He was free to strike as the Azerbaijan defence failed to deal with Robert Earnshaw's right-wing cross.

Azerbaijan had chances through Branimir Subasic and Vugar Nadirov who were denied by keeper Wayne Hennessey.

Despite the win, Wales still need nothing short of a miracle to qualify from Group Four for next year's tournament in South Africa.

But the young side will take heart from a solid, if not inspiring, performance against their hosts who could see under-fire coach Berti Vogts sacked following the defeat.

Credit to Azerbaijan though who were more threatening at times in the second half and put Wales under pressure particularly in the closing stages.

It was a stark contrast to the first 45 minutes that offered very little from both sides.

The only two pieces of action of note came in the final three minutes, first when Edwards clinched what turned out to be the winner.

And then on the stroke of half time, Zeynal Zeynalov tested Hennesey with an effort from outside the box, but the Wolves stopper saved comfortably.

Hennessey was more active after the break and did well when he had to turn substitute Subasic's close range shot around the post.

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Then he was able to easily collect Elmar Bakhshiyev's deflected shot before denying Vugar Nadirov's far post header with 13 minutes to go.

Wales rarely threatened Farhad Veliyev in the Azerbaijan goal and looked to tire in the last 30 minutes.

But they held out for a morale-boosting win.

Azerbaijan: Veliyev, Shukurov, Rashad Sadygov, Nabiyev (Huseynov 50), Melikov, Levin, Bahshiev, Zeynalov, Ramin (Subasic 45), Javadov, Akhtyamov (Nadirov 60).
Subs Not Used: Mehdiev, Pereira, Maharramov, Jalilov.

Wales: Hennessey, Eardley, Williams, Morgan, Nyatanga, Gunter, Ledley, Ramsey, Edwards, Church (Tudur Jones 83), Earnshaw (Vokes 70).
Subs Not Used: Myhill, Price, King, MacDonald, Allen.

Booked: Morgan.

Goals: Edwards 42.

Att: 26,728

Ref: Markus Strombergsson (Sweden).

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