poutismalakas
10-13-2007, 09:38 PM
Cyprus 3-1 Wales: Second half slump
Wales' hopes of a third successive away victory ended instead in embarrassment as they faltered to defeat against Cyprus tonight.
One goal up at half-time, Wales' hopes were still intact in pursuit of another victory to complete a sequence of away success they had not managed for 26 years.
But the advantage they held via James Collins' first international goal was obliterated in a shocking 21-minute second-half spell, during which they conceded three times in this European Championship qualifier.
Manager John Toshack had joked beforehand he deserved an OBE if Wales managed to win on the road again, but the truth was they simply never handled their hosts' pace and direct running.
Collins was taken off with an ankle injury just before the break - a blow to Wales' defence which was to cost them dear.
They were run ragged after the break, veteran striker Ioannis Okkas scoring twice and substitute Constantantinos Charalambides heading the third.
Wales can now kiss goodbye to any chance of finishing third in Group D, exposed by a country who used to be the makeweights of Europe.
Craig Bellamy was fit enough to lead the side, a week after his groin operation, and his West Ham club-mate Collins was also considered ready after dental surgery earlier in the week.
Lewin Nyatanga, who missed the last match - a 5-2 win in Slovakia - returned in place of Craig Morgan. But the Peterborough defender was required eventually, as Collins' replacement.
Cyprus boss Angelos Anastasiadis opted for second-choice goalkeeper Antonis Georgallides, despite the return to fitness of usual number one Michael Morphis.
Bellamy did not look in any discomfort - but got precious little of the ball to prove anything.
In the second minute, he raced down the left and drilled over a low cross which Joe Ledley flashed wide of the far post. But thereafter, he was a solitary figure for long spells.
Cyprus have a reputation as an improving team and kept possession well, working hard to release Efstathios Aloneftis down the left.
Wales soaked up plenty of pressure before Sam Ricketts got down the right to fire over a cross which Bellamy, 12 yards out and with a clear opportunity, mis-kicked.
But after 20 minutes, Wales took the lead.
A foul on Gareth Bale produced a free-kick to the far post, and Collins was there to sidefoot home.
The pace of Aloneftis continued to keep Ricketts on his toes, while captain Okkas, newly signed by Celta Vigo, showed plenty of good touches.
After taking the lead, though, Wales sat back and invited trouble.
Too little concentration at times saw the ball given away, and it was becoming a hard job for the visiting defence to keep Cyprus at bay.
Wales lost Collins on 43 minutes - and as Morgan entered the fray, they were clinging on until the break.
Freddy Eastwood, who looked well off the pace, was booked for a foul on Marios Nikolaou seconds before the interval.
When Wales did break early in the second half, Bellamy almost scored. Ricketts' long ball was headed on by Eastwood, and only a fine save by Georgallides stopped them grabbing a second.
They replaced Eastwood with Robert Earnshaw on 56 minutes but the Cypriots equalised a minute later.
Danny Gabbidon was harshly judged to have fouled Okkas 30 yards out. From Aloneftis' curling free-kick, Okkas then surged through to head past Danny Coyne.
Joe Ledley fired over the bar from 12 yards as Wales fought to regain the lead. But Wales gifted Cyprus a second on 67 minutes.
Yiasoumi Yiasoumis' cross from the right sailed to the far post, where Ricketts dithered and Coyne failed to react.
Aloneftis stabbed it forward - and Okkas, almost on the line and looking offside, forced the ball home.
The match was all over after 78 minutes when Aloneftis was allowed to cross from the left, Alexandros Garpozis headed back into the danger area, and substitute Charalambides - who was on trial at Cardiff this summer - headed past a now bewildered Coyne.
Wales had no answer, their young players - who had been steadily learning how to play at this level - found wanting.
Wales' hopes of a third successive away victory ended instead in embarrassment as they faltered to defeat against Cyprus tonight.
One goal up at half-time, Wales' hopes were still intact in pursuit of another victory to complete a sequence of away success they had not managed for 26 years.
But the advantage they held via James Collins' first international goal was obliterated in a shocking 21-minute second-half spell, during which they conceded three times in this European Championship qualifier.
Manager John Toshack had joked beforehand he deserved an OBE if Wales managed to win on the road again, but the truth was they simply never handled their hosts' pace and direct running.
Collins was taken off with an ankle injury just before the break - a blow to Wales' defence which was to cost them dear.
They were run ragged after the break, veteran striker Ioannis Okkas scoring twice and substitute Constantantinos Charalambides heading the third.
Wales can now kiss goodbye to any chance of finishing third in Group D, exposed by a country who used to be the makeweights of Europe.
Craig Bellamy was fit enough to lead the side, a week after his groin operation, and his West Ham club-mate Collins was also considered ready after dental surgery earlier in the week.
Lewin Nyatanga, who missed the last match - a 5-2 win in Slovakia - returned in place of Craig Morgan. But the Peterborough defender was required eventually, as Collins' replacement.
Cyprus boss Angelos Anastasiadis opted for second-choice goalkeeper Antonis Georgallides, despite the return to fitness of usual number one Michael Morphis.
Bellamy did not look in any discomfort - but got precious little of the ball to prove anything.
In the second minute, he raced down the left and drilled over a low cross which Joe Ledley flashed wide of the far post. But thereafter, he was a solitary figure for long spells.
Cyprus have a reputation as an improving team and kept possession well, working hard to release Efstathios Aloneftis down the left.
Wales soaked up plenty of pressure before Sam Ricketts got down the right to fire over a cross which Bellamy, 12 yards out and with a clear opportunity, mis-kicked.
But after 20 minutes, Wales took the lead.
A foul on Gareth Bale produced a free-kick to the far post, and Collins was there to sidefoot home.
The pace of Aloneftis continued to keep Ricketts on his toes, while captain Okkas, newly signed by Celta Vigo, showed plenty of good touches.
After taking the lead, though, Wales sat back and invited trouble.
Too little concentration at times saw the ball given away, and it was becoming a hard job for the visiting defence to keep Cyprus at bay.
Wales lost Collins on 43 minutes - and as Morgan entered the fray, they were clinging on until the break.
Freddy Eastwood, who looked well off the pace, was booked for a foul on Marios Nikolaou seconds before the interval.
When Wales did break early in the second half, Bellamy almost scored. Ricketts' long ball was headed on by Eastwood, and only a fine save by Georgallides stopped them grabbing a second.
They replaced Eastwood with Robert Earnshaw on 56 minutes but the Cypriots equalised a minute later.
Danny Gabbidon was harshly judged to have fouled Okkas 30 yards out. From Aloneftis' curling free-kick, Okkas then surged through to head past Danny Coyne.
Joe Ledley fired over the bar from 12 yards as Wales fought to regain the lead. But Wales gifted Cyprus a second on 67 minutes.
Yiasoumi Yiasoumis' cross from the right sailed to the far post, where Ricketts dithered and Coyne failed to react.
Aloneftis stabbed it forward - and Okkas, almost on the line and looking offside, forced the ball home.
The match was all over after 78 minutes when Aloneftis was allowed to cross from the left, Alexandros Garpozis headed back into the danger area, and substitute Charalambides - who was on trial at Cardiff this summer - headed past a now bewildered Coyne.
Wales had no answer, their young players - who had been steadily learning how to play at this level - found wanting.