Wales World Cup hopes dim

From the onset, selected in Group Four with powerhouses Germany and Russia, Wales chances to make it through to the World Cup was a steepest of challenges. To be successful they would need a picture perfect run against fellow Group Four nations, Finland, Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein and pounce on a opportunity against the favoured Russian and German sides.

That basic plan came unraveled today as Wales lost 2-0 to Finland at Millennium Stadium. With the defeat Wales chances of making an appearance fade to the dimmest of hopes as they now stand fourth in the table with an extra match played. The Finnish side, sporting a starting eleven with only four players under the age of thirty displayed a patient style befitting their experience. Whilst Wales went forward with strong ball possession before the break it was without a serious attacking threat. Wales best scoring chance came through heated runs by Manchester City resurgent striker Craig Bellamy but the final provision could not break through the veteran Finn defenders. Slowly the visitors patience began to pay off. Efforts by Mikael Forssell of Hannover 96 forced Wolves 'keeper Wayne Hennessey into action with Sami Hyypiä doing the same moments later. However two minutes before the break Jari Litmanen, most notably of Ajax but now winding his career down with FC Lahti, sent a through ball to Jonatan Johansson and the Hibernian striker promptly gave Finland the 1-0 lead. Wales looked a morsel heavy legged after the break and looking for great pace and vision Aaron Ramsey was brought in for David Edwards just before the hour mark. However the day wasn't Wales as any launch forward was snuffed out before it could be a menacing threat. With Carl Robinson and Robert Earnshaw entering the match, Wales continued the search for the equalizer but it was the Finnish side that created more of concern and as time wound down Dynamo Kyiv's Roman Eremenko provided Shefki Kuqi the ball to which the Crystal Palace made no mistake with and sealed a 2-0 defeat of Wales.

Wales returns to play on Wednesday as Germany visits Millennium Stadium.