Defiant Wales Show Character to Hold Back German Onslaught

Wales have endured some chastening experiences during their qualifying campaign but last night there was a moment to truly cherish. A side that John Toshack had described as the most inexperienced he had ever named at international level produced a performance full of energy, spirit and determination to hold Germany in the most unlikely of circumstances. The reward was a point but the long-term benefits promise to be much greater.

Missing five first-team regulars through injury and suspension, Wales played with confidence and belief to quell Germany's threat and record easily the most impressive result during Toshack's tenure. It was no surprise that the home team enjoyed more possession but Toshack's tactics ensured his youthful side were never exposed. Germany could not find a way through as the Wales players celebrated a draw that should do much to embolden this callow squad.

Any suggestion Germany might have cause to go easy on Wales had been dispelled before kick-off. The Czech Republic's 2-0 win in Cyprus meant Germany were assured of finishing second in Group D and, as a result, rendered the conspiracy theories about trying to avoid top spot to guarantee an easier draw in next summer's finals irrelevant. That news provided no comfort for Wales but there was considerably more encouragement to be found at the interval.

The whistling that reverberated around this arena at half-time indicated Wales had succeeded in their plans to frustrate the Germans. A home onslaught had been predicted but Wales were proving to be obdurate opponents, the visitors retaining possession and even daring to break forward at times.

Tim Borowski struck an upright from 20 yards in the 14th minute but that chance was a rare moment of concern for Wayne Hennessey in the first half. The Wales goalkeeper was being protected by a sea of red shirts and when that disciplined back line was breached, Mario Gomez could only steer his free header wide.

Apart from a couple of speculative Lukas Podolski shots from distance that was as good as it got for Germany before the break. There was little change after the restart. Miroslav Klose fared no better five minutes later when he nodded Phillip Lahm's inswinging cross wide as Wales continued to stand firm. The traveling fans could not have imagined this trip would prove so productive.