So far, so good for Toshack revolution
By IAN LADYMAN
Last updated at 08:10 16 August 2006
Wales 0 Bulgaria 0
On taking over from Mark Hughes almost two years ago, Wales coach John Toshack said the team he presented for Euro 2008 qualifying would be the one on which he wants to be judged.
Certainly on this evidence, Toshack has made progress and with more subtlety in front of goal Wales would have had a lift before their first group game in the Czech Republic on the first weekend in September.
Toshack said: "I don't think 0-0 was a fair reflection, it could have been more like 2-2 or 3-3. But we have a big game in a little over two weeks and I'm happy with where we are."
Although new Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov spurned a hat-trick of chances, the better chances fell to the home team.
Bulgaria keeper Georgi Petkov saved well from Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy, Robert Earnshaw and Carl Robinson in the first period while his replacement Dimitar Ivankov should have been dismissed within seven minutes of his arrival as he handled outside the penalty area.
Toshack was given a boost before kick-off when West Bromwich striker John Hartson revealed he had changed his mind about quitting international football.
WALES (4-4-2): Jones; Delaney (Duffy 60min), Gabbidon (Edwards 73), Collins, Ricketts (Vaughan 67); Davies, Robinson, Fletcher (Ledley 51), Giggs (Nyatanga 51); Bellamy (Parry 71), Earnshaw.
BULGARIA (4-2-3-1): Petkov (Ivankov 46); Angelov (Iliev 81), Kirilov, Tomasic, Lusio; Kishishev (Y Todorov 73), S Petrov; Peev (Georgiev 55), Iankovic (S Todorov 64), M Petrov (Lazarov 55); Berbatov. Booked: Kishishev.
Man of the match: Craig Bellamy Referee: Joe Attard (Malta).
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