Mark Hughes got
his international managerial career off to a
perfect start in Minsk when a Ryan Giggs header
in the 87th minute gave Wales a fine victory in
the make or break Euro 2000 qualifier. The result kept Wales' Euro
2000 qualifying hopes alive, and we now have to
beat Switzerland at Wrexham next month to give
ourselves a chance of reaching the play-offs, but
all will depend on what the Denmark do against
Italy in their last qualifying match.
Wales reverted
back to the favoured 4-4-2 formation with Andy
Melville partnering Chris Coleman in the heart of
defence, and Robert Page playing at right-back.
Euro 2000 Fixtures.
Key moments |
|
First Half |
5 mins: A
free header by Chris Coleman from a Mark
Pembridge free-kick passed inches wide of
the far post. |
30 mins:
Vasily Baranov collected the ball 30
yards out, he cut inside and drove a
rising left shot into the top corner of
the net, leaving Paul Jones with no
chance. |
36 mins:
Another Baranov hit the bar. |
41 mins:
Gary Speed sent Dean Saunders away on the
right, he crossed and Giggs rose to plant
his header towards the roof of the net,
only for keeper Tumilovick to tip the
ball over the bar. |
42 mins:
Gary Speed drove a low left drive from
outside the box, the keeper fumbled the
ball, Dean Saunders then reacted the
quickest to drive the ball home from
close range. |
Second Half |
60 mins
The ball dropped to John Robinson from a
Ryan Giggs corner only then for his shot
to hit the bar and fly over from 12 yards
out. |
68 mins
Paul Jones made an excellent close-range
save from Aleksandr Kuckha. |
77 mins
Andy Melville headed a John Robinson
corner against the bar. |
81 mins
Paul Jones made another fine save to
touch onto the post a 30-yarder from
Baranov. |
86 mins A
throw-in from the right from Robert Page
was flicked on by Andy Melville, for Ryan
Giggs to come racing in with a glancing
header into the far corner. |
|