Wales' World Cup hopes destroyed by latest defeat
Wales lie fourth in group four and face leaders Germany next week
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Saturday, 28, Mar 2009 10:21
Wales' hopes of World Cup qualification have been dented after a 2-0 defeat to Finland at the Millennium Stadium.
Jonatan Johansson and Shefki Kuqi scored for the visitors to leave Wales three points behind second-placed Russia in group four, with
Guus Hiddink's men having a game-in-hand.
The home side dominated possession in the first-half but will be rueing their failure to carve out enough chances.
Their first clear-cut opportunity came on the half-hour mark with James Collins' header saved by Jussi Jaaskelainen, while minutes later Craig Bellamy's shot was blocked by Sami Hyypia.
But John Toshack's side switched off in the final five minutes of the half with Hyypia forcing Wayne Hennessey into a save with a header.
And they broke the deadlock on 42 minutes when Johansson beat the off-side trap to slip the ball past the onrushing Hennessey. The visitors then went close to doubling their lead with Mikael Forssell denied by a last-ditch tackle from Gareth Bale.
Finland improved after the break and were unlucky not to seal the game with Forssell twice denied by Hennessey, while Joe Ledley headed Hannu Tihinen's effort off the line.
Despite the introduction of Aaron Ramsey and Carl Fletcher, it continued to be one-way traffic with Hennessey making a fine double save to thwart Forssell.
But Hennessey could do nothing to stop Finland clinching victory in stoppage time when Crystal Palace striker Kuqi cut inside and scored from a tight angle to leave Wales' World Cup hopes in tatters.