Wales rally to beat Cyprus
Bellamy inspired the Wales team
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Wednesday, 11, Oct 2006 10:32
Wales put their defeat to Slovakia at the weekend behind them and reignited their Euro 2008 qualification hopes with a 3-1 win at the Millennium Stadium.
The home side took the lead in the first half as Jason Koumas broke the deadlock with a header from Simon Davies' cross on the right in the 33rd minute.
Robert Earnshaw then doubled the lead six minutes later after excellent work from Liverpool's Craig Bellamy. He used his pace to latch on to a through ball and was composed enough to pick out a square ball to Earnshaw who finished.
Both sides had chances throughout the game as Okkas and Makridis went close for the Cypriots in the first half and Aloneftis forced a save from new Wales keeper Lewis Price.
Later in the second half stand-in captain Bellamy was able to put the game beyond doubt with a deserved goal of his own. He lofted a beautiful chip over the Cypriot keeper from the edge of the area in the 72nd minute.
Okkas then matched Bellamy's feat at the other end, chipping in a consolation effort for Cyprus in the 83rd minute. Bellamy soon after left the field to a well-earned standing ovation.
Wales' 5-1 defeat to Slovakia on Saturday was their worst in 99 years and they showed the public their willingness to make amends with this spirited performance.
The win was the country's first points of the qualifying campaign and places them fourth in the group which is headed by the Czech Republic. Their next game in the group is away on March 24th to the Republic of Ireland.