Wales national football team

Wales

Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)	The Dragons
Association	Football Association of Wales
Head coach	John Toshack, (2004-)
Captain	Ryan Giggs
Most caps	Neville Southall (92)
Top scorer	Ian Rush (28)
Home stadium	Millenium Stadium
FIFA code	WAL
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	77
Highest	27 (August 1993)
Lowest	113 (September 2000)
First international
Scotland 4 - 0 Wales (Glasgow, Scotland; 26 March, 1876)
Biggest win
Wales 11 - 0 Ireland (Wrexham, Wales; 3 March, 1888)
Biggest defeat
Scotland 9 - 0 Wales (Glasgow, Scotland; 23 March, 1878)
World Cup
Appearances	1 (first in 1958)
Best result	Quarter-finals, 1958
European Championship
Appearances	none (first in -)
Best result	Quarter-finals, 1976

The Wales national football team represents Wales in international men's football. Controlled by the Football Association of Wales, the governing body for football in Wales, they are one of oldest national teams in the world. Although not a major force in world football, Wales constantly punches above its weight and has regularly beaten some of the best teams in the world.

In the qualification for Template:Ec2, Wales has been drawn in Group D alongside Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus and San Marino.

History

The Early Years

Wales played its first competitive match on 25 March, 1876 against Scotland in Glasgow, making it the third oldest international football team in the world.

Although the Scots won the first fixture 4–0, a return match was planned in Wales the following year, and so it was that the first international football match on Welsh soil took place at The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham on 5 March, 1877. Scotland took the spoils winning 2–0.

Wales' first match against England came in 1879 - a 2–1 defeat at the Kennington Oval, London and in 1882 Wales faced Ireland for the first time, winning 7–1 in Wrexham.

The associations of the four Home Nations met in Manchester on December 6, 1882 to set down a set of worldwide rules. This meeting saw the establishment of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to approve changes to the rules, a task the four associations still perform to this day.

The 1883/84 season saw the formation of the British Home Championship, a tournament which was played played annually between England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, until 1983/84. Wales were champions on 12 occasions - winning outright 7 times whilst sharing the title five times.

The FAW became members of FIFA, world football's governing body, in 1906, but the relationship between FIFA and the British associations was fraught and the British nations withdrew from FIFA in 1928 in a dispute over payments to amateur players. As a result, Wales did not enter the first three World Cups.

In 1932 Wales played host to the Republic of Ireland, the first time they played against a side from outside the four home nations. A year later, Wales played a match outside the United Kingdom for the first time when they travelled to Paris to take on France in a match which was drawn 1–1.

Post war

Wales, along with the other four home nations, rejoined Fifa in 1946 and took part in the qualifying rounds for the 1950 World Cup, the 1949/50 Home Championships being designated as a qualifying group. The top two teams were to qualify for the finals in Brazil, but Wales finished bottom of the group.

The 1950s were undoubtedly a golden age for Welsh football with stars such as Ivor Allchurch, Alf Sherwood, Jack Kelsey and, of course, John Charles, pulling on the famous red shirt and Wales made its only World Cup appearance in 1958, however, their qualification was fortunate to say the least. Having finished second to Czechoslovakia in qualifying Group 4, the Welsh thought their chances of appearing in Sweden were over. But the golden generation of Welsh football had reckoned without the politics of the Middle East.

Egypt and Sudan had refused to play against Israel whilst Indonesia had insisted on meeting Israel on neutral ground. As a result Israel were proclaimed winners of their respective group in the Asian/African zone.

Fifa were understandably reluctant to allow a team to qualify for the World Cup finals without actually playing a match and so lots were drawn of all the second placed teams in the Uefa qualifying groups. Wales were drawn out of the hat and awarded a two-legged play-off match against Israel with a place in Sweden for the winners.

Having beaten Israel 2–0 in Tel Aviv and 2–0 at Ninian Park, Cardiff, Wales squeezed through to the World Cup Finals for the one and only time.

The Welsh side made their mark in Sweden, drawing all the matches in their group against Hungary, Mexico, and Sweden before defeating the Hungarians in a play off match to reach the Quarter finals. There the Welsh lost 1–0 to eventual champions Brazil, with 17-year-old Pele grabbing the only goal of the game for the South American side.

The 70s and 80s

Wales have never actually qualified for the final stages of the European Championship, however in 1976 they did reach the last eight of the competition - prior to 1980, only four countries qualified for the final stages of the competition - losing in a two legged match against Yugoslavia.

Another noteable achievment came in 1977 as Wales defeated England on English soil for the first time in 42 years and secured their only victory at Wembley thanks to a Leighton James penalty. 1980 saw Wales tear England apart in one of the best performances ever witnessed by a Welsh side. Goals from Mickey Thomas, Ian Walsh, Leighton James and an own goal by Phil Thompson saw Wales thrash England 4-1, just four days after England had beaten the then world champions, Argentina.

Manchester United youngster, Mark Hughes, marked his debut for Wales scoring the only goal of the game as England were defeated once again in 1984 and the following season, Hughes was on target once again, scoring a wonder goal as Wales thrashed Spain 3-0 at The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham during qualification for Mexico 86.

1990s - present day

Wales came close, once again, to qualifying for a major championship when they came within a whisker of reaching the World Cup of 1994. Needing to win the final game of the group at home to Romania, Paul Bodin missed a penalty when the scores were level 1-1 and Romania went on to win 2-1.

Following the failure to qualify, Terry Yorath's contract as manager of the national side was not renewed by the FAW and John Toshack, then manager of Real Sociedad was appointed as a part-time manager. However, Toshack resigned after just one game - a 3-1 defeat to Norway - citing problems with the FAW as his reason for leaving, although he was sure to have been shocked at being booed off the pitch at Ninian Park by the Welsh fans still reeling from the dismissal of Yorath.

Mike Smith took the reigns for the start of the Euro 96 qualifiers which saw Wales slip to embarrassing defeats against Moldova and Georgia before Bobby Gould was appointed in June 1995.

Gould's time in charge of Wales is seen as a dark period by Welsh football fans. His questionable tactics and public fallings out with players such as Nathan Blake, Robbie Savage and Mark Hughes coupled with embarrassing defeats to club side Leyton Orient and a 7-1 thrashing by Holland in 1996 did not make him a popular figure within Wales.

Gould finally resigned following a 4-0 defeat to Italy in 1999 and the FAW turned to two legends of the national team, Neville Southall and Mark Hughes to take temporary charge of the game against Denmark four days later, with Hughes later being appointed on a permanent basis.

Under Hughes, Wales came close to qualifying for the European Championships in 2004, losing in the playoffs for a place in Portugal against Russia. The defeat, however, was not without its controversy as Russian miedfield player, Egor Titov, test positive for banned drug use after the first qualifying leg, however the sport's governing body decided to take no action against the Football Union of Russia other than instructing them not to play Titov again.

Following a disappointing start to the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign Hughes left his role with the national team to take over as manager of Blackburn Rovers of the English Premiership.

John Toshack was appointed manager for the second time on 12 November 2004.

Competition History

World Cup record

• 1930 to 1938 - Did not enter
• 1950 - Did not qualify
• 1954 - Did not qualify
• 1958 - Quarter-finals
• 1962 to 2006 - Did not qualify

European Championship record

• 1960 - Did not enter
• 1964 to 2004 - Did not qualify

Player History

Most capped Wales players

As of October 12, 2006, the players with the most caps for Wales are:

#	Name	Career	Caps	Goals
1	Neville Southall	1970 - 1997	125	0
2	Gary Speed	1990 - 2004	85	7
3	Dean Saunders	1986 - 2001	75	22
4	Peter Nicholas	1979 - 1991	73	2
=	Ian Rush	1980 - 1996	73	28
6	Mark Hughes	1984 - 1999	72	16
=	Joey Jones	1975 - 1986	72	1
8	Ivor Allchurch	1950 - 1966	68	23
9	Brian Flynn	1974 - 1984	66	7
10	Andy Melville	1989 - 2004	65	3

Top goalscorers for Wales

As of October 12, 2006, the players with the most goals for Wales are:

#	Name	Goals	Caps
1	Ian Rush	28	73
2	Ivor Allchurch	23	68
=	Trevor Ford	23	38
4	Dean Saunders	22	75
5	Mark Hughes	16	72
=	Cliff Jones	16	59
7	John Charles	15	38
8	John Hartson	14	51
9	John Toshack	13	40
10	Billy Lewis	12	27
=	Dai Astley	12	13

Famous Welsh international players

Ivor Allchurch William Ellis Bailiff Craig Bellamy Clayton Blackmore John Charles Mel Charles Chris Coleman Vic Crowe Dai Davies Simon Davies Wyn Davies Robert Earnshaw Ian Evans Brian Flynn

Danny Gabbidon Ryan Giggs John Hartson Barry Horne Mark Hughes Joey Jones Vinnie Jones Llewelyn Kenrick Robert William Matthews Andy Melville Billy Meredith Peter Nicholas Eddie Niedzwiecki Roy Paul

Kevin Ratcliffe John Robinson Leigh Richmond Roose Ian Rush Dean Saunders Robbie Savage Cyril Sidlow Neville Southall Gary Speed Kit Symons Mickey Thomas John Toshack Pat van den Hauwe Terry Yorath

Managers

Name	Career
Jimmy Murphy	1958
Dave Bowen	1964-1974
Mike Smith	1974-1979
Mike England	1979-1987
Terry Yorath	1988-1993
John Toshack	1994
Mike Smith	1994-1995
Bobby Gould	1995-1999
Mark Hughes	1999-2004
John Toshack	2004- present

Home stadium

Wales play their home matches at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. The stadiu was built in 1999 on the site of the old National Stadium, known as Cardiff Arms Park.

Prior to 1989 Wales played their home games at the grounds of Cardiff City F.C., Swansea City F.C. and Wrexham F.C. but then came to an agreement with the WRU to use The Arms Park and subsequently, the Millennium Stadium.

Wales' first football match at the Millennium Stadium was against Finland on 29 March, 2000. The Finns won the match 2-1, with Nahan Blake becoming the first Welshman to score a goal at the stadium, unfortunately for Blake and Wales it was an own goal - Ryan Giggs scored Wales' goal in the match, becoming the first Welshman to score at the right end at the stadium!

In recent seasons a handful of friendly matches have been played away from the Millennium Stadium at Swansea's Liberty Stadium and Wrexham's Racecourse Ground.

Current Squad

Goalkeepers

Name	Age	Club	Caps (goals)	Debut
Jason Brown	24	Blackburn Rovers	1 (0)	v Trinidad and Tobago, 27 May 2006
Danny Coyne	32	Burnley	11 (0)	v Switzerland, 24 April 1996
Glyn Garner	29	Leyton Orient	1 (0)	v Trinidad and Tobago, 27 May 2006
Paul Jones	39	Queens Park Rangers	50 (0)	v Scotland, 1997
Lewis Price	22	Ipswich	3 (0)	v Cyprus, 16 November 2005
Darren Ward	32	Sunderland	5 (0)	v Portugal, 2000

Defenders

Name	Age	Club	Caps (goals)	Debut
Gareth Bale	17	Southampton	4 (1)	v Trinidad and Tobago, 27 May 2006
Danny Collins	25	Sunderland	2 (0)	v Cyprus, 16 November 2005
James Collins	22	West Ham	14 (0)	v Norway, 27 May 2004
Mark Delaney	30	Aston Villa	35 (0)	v Switzerland, 9 October 1999
Richard Duffy	20	Portsmouth	8 (0)	v Slovenia, 17 August 2005
Rob Edwards	23	Wolves	13 (0)	v Azerbaijan, 29 March 2003
Danny Gabbidon	27	West Ham	31 (0)	v Czech Republic, 2002
Craig Morgan	21	Milton Keynes Dons	1 (0)	v Cyprus, 11 October 2006
Lewin Nyatanga	17	Derby	6 (0)	v Paraguay, 1 March 2006
Sam Ricketts	25	Hull City	13 (0)	v Hungary, 9 February 2005
Ryan Valentine	24	Wrexham	0 (0)	v n/a
Rhys Weston	27	Viking F.K.	7 (0)	v Portugal, 6 February 2000

Midfielders

Name	Age	Club	Caps (goals)	Debut
Andrew Crofts	22	Gillingham	3 (0)	v Azerbaijan, 12 October 2005
Arron Davies	22	Yeovil Town	1 (0)	v Trinidad and Tobago, 27 May 2006
Simon Davies	26	Everton	33 (5)	v Ukraine, 6 June 2001
Carl Fletcher	26	Crystal Palace	14 (0)	v Scotland, 18 February 2004
Ryan Giggs (captain)	32	Manchester United	59 (11)	v West Germany, June 1991
Mark Jones	23	Wrexham	0 (0)	v n/a
Jason Koumas	26	West Bromwich Albion	17 (2)	v Ukraine, 6 June 2001
Joe Ledley	19	Cardiff City	6 (0)	v Poland, October 2005
Chris Llewellyn	27	Wrexham	4 (0)	v Malta, 1998
John Oster	27	Reading	13 (0)	v Brazil, 12 November 1997
Paul Parry	25	Cardiff City	7 (1)	v Scotland, 18 February 2004
Carl Robinson	29	Norwich City	34 (1)	v Belarus, 1999
Owain Tudor Jones	21	Swansea City	0 (0)	v n/a
David Vaughan	23	Crewe Alexandra	8 (0)	v USA, 26 May 2003
Gavin Williams	25	Ipswich	2 (0)	v Cyprus, 16 November 2005

Strikers

Name	Age	Club	Caps (goals)	Debut
Craig Bellamy	26	Liverpool	40 (10)	v Jamaica, 23 March 1998
David Cotterill	18	Wigan	4 (0)	v Azerbaijan, 12 October 2005
Craig Davies	20	Verona (currently on loan to Wolverhampton Wanderers)	3 (0)	v Slovenia, 17 August 2005
Robert Earnshaw	25	Norwich City	31 (12)	v Germany, 14 May 2002
John Hartson	31	West Brom	50 (14)	v Bulgaria, 29 March 1995

See also

• FIFA World Cup 1958

External links

• Football Association of Wales
• International results of Wales
• Dragon Soccer