By Dave Smith 21-Nov-02
The remarkable Welsh revolution continued and gained further momentum in Azerbaijan as an under-strength team claimed a comfortable victory to move five points clear at the top of Group Nine. Goals in each half by Gary Speed and John Hartson did the trick and Yugoslavia and Italy will be quaking in their respective boots.
With a 100 per cent record to maintain and without several key players, the pressure was on Wales as they stepped into the unknown with a trip to Azerbaijan. In the past such games were by no means an easy task for the Welsh, but 'oh the times they are a changing'.
Mark Hughes has got the team playing with pride and passion and that was clearly in evidence as Wales got off to a flying start when skipper Gary Speed, leading by the perfect example, gave his country the lead after just nine minutes.
Simon Davies, who is making great strides both in the Premiership and on the international stage, swung into the perfect corner and Speed called on all his experience and aerial quality to convert the Tottenham midfielder's dead ball kick. John Hartson almost made it 2-0 moments later but hit the bar, but did claim his goal in the second half to seal the victory.
Having had to reshuffle his pack because of injuries and withdrawals, Hughes must have been delighted with his side's start and Speed was back in his element at the heart of the midfield after previously filling in at left back, a position today occupied by Darren Barnard.
Carl Robinson was winning his tenth cap in midfield, alongside Speed, whilst Robert Earnshaw took over from the injured Craig Bellamy on the right, leaving Hartson to plough a lone furrow up front. The big Celtic striker did it pretty well too.
Ryan Giggs had already gone close before Speed broke the deadlock after nine minutes and, in truth, from then on there was only going to be one winner; certainly the way Wales have been playing recently. Little wonder Giggs went on record the other day as saying he enjoys playing for his country more than he does for United at the moment.
Wales, to be fair, did look a bit shaky at the back and survived a few scares in the first half but they always looked dangerous going forward. Another Davies corner eight minutes before the break once again found the head of Speed but this time the keeper was equal to the task.
After Azerbaijan had briefly threatened at the start of the second half, Robinson failed to convert a looping through ball from Giggs before Hartson extended his country's lead after 68 minutes, heading in at the far post after another accurate delivery from the impressive Davies.
Paul Jones saved well from Azeri 11 minutes from time, the home side's best chance, but Wales played out the remaining minutes in a professional manner to secure the victory they more than deserved.
