Wales freeze out Russia in Moscow
 |
Wales' Leon Gabbidon (right) clashes with Russia's Bulykin.
Story Tools
EURO 2004 PLAYOFFS
|
• Second legs on Wednesday
|
| EURO 2004 QUALIFIERS |
Portugal (hosts), France, Denmark, Czech Republic, Sweden, Germany, Greece, England, Bulgaria, Italy, Switzerland.
|
|
MOSCOW, Russia -- Wales held Russia to a goalless draw in the first leg of their Euro 2004 qualifier to boost their hopes of a first appearance at a major tournament in 45 years.
The home side dominated possession at Moscow's Lokomotiv Stadium but created few chances against the well-organized and committed Welsh defense.
Russian playmaker Alexander Mostovoi and goalkeeper Sergei Ovchinnikov will both miss Wednesday's second leg in Cardiff after picking up their second bookings of the competition.
"We played perfectly in defense, and Wales had practically no scoring chances," said Russian coach Georgy Yartsev.
"But we lacked luck in front of the Wales goal."
Wales, who have never reached the European championship finals and have only once -- in 1958 -- qualified for the World Cup, seemed happy to play for a draw on a freezing evening in the Russian capital.
Coach Mark Hughes declared himself satisfied with his team's efforts but warned that Russia couldn't be written off for the second leg.
"We will have a hard time because Russia will be very dangerous," said Hughes.
Russia's best chances came on 33 minutes when Daniel Gabiddon's last-ditch tackle denied Dmitry Sychev a shooting chance from close range, and seconds later Welsh goalkeeper Paul Jones punched away Alexei Smertin's long-range effort.
Russia continued to press for an advantage after the break but Dmitry Loskov's volley from a corner on 78 minutes, which bounced away off Mark Delaney, was their best chance of the half.
Wales rarely threatened but Gary Speed almost grabbed a valuable away goal with a header just before halftime that was cleared from inside the six-yard box by Smertin
