| Related sites for http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wales_national_football_team |
| Georgia_Tech Official team site includes player profiles, pictures and message board. | | Bodybuilding_Competition_Guide Guide for preparing for bodybuilding competitions. Everything from diet and cardio to tanning and posing oil. | | The_Art_of_Pole_Vaulting Personal fan pages on pole vaulting by ChaLac. | | Powerman_South_Africa Information, results, photos, press release, course map, tourist information, and links. | | Rally_of_Thailand Official site of the Rally of Thailand, final round of the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship. | | Kaimanawa_Wild_Horse_Welfare_Trust_Inc_ A non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of Kaimanawa horses in the wild and in domesticity in New Zealand. Includes information on the breed, registration, and membership. Contains freque | | Dream_Cup_Race Subscription only league with statistics, results and schedules. | | USA_Modifieds News, schedule, driver profiles, point standings and rules. | | Interski UK-based operator featuring resorts throughout Italy's Aosta Valley. | | Wisconsin_Canoe_Racing_Association Official site of the organization with race calendar, used equipment, and membership information. | | Roadrunner_Drag_Race_Team German based 1966 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova Super Sport that runs Super Street class. News, driver and team information, car specifications, schedule, and media. | | Alberta_Southern_Region_-_Canadian_Pony_Club Comprised of 18 branch clubs with approximately 350 members. Listing of member clubs and current notices. | | PFC_Levski_Unofficial_Site By Jordan Levskara. | | Boston_University_Women\'s_Golf Terriers. News items, articles, scores, player and coach profiles. | | MaratonTurk MaratonTurk gives a worldwide athletics-marathon information. [English and Turkish] | | Buddha\'s_Wing_FU_Site Promoting traditional Chinese martial arts, especially Northern Shaolin and Wing Chun. [Atlanta, GA] | | Kitesurf_Varna Kite Surf and Wind Surf directory: manufacturers, meteo links, photos, videos. | | Sykes_Golf_Academy About instruction, tuition, events for juniors, groups and corporate clients on Guernsey, Channel Islands. | | Central_Arizona_College_Women\'s_Basketball Vaqueras [1] - official web site with news, schedule, roster. | | University_of_Central_Missouri_Softball Jennies. Contains current standings, past season details, articles, roster, statistics, and game results. |
|
Wales national football team - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ Wales national football team From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Wales Nickname(s)The DragonsAssociationFootball Association of WalesConfederationUEFA (Europe)Head coach John ToshackAsst coach Roy Evans Dean Saunders Brian FlynnCaptainCraig BellamyMost capsNeville Southall (92)Top scorerIan Rush (28)Home stadiumMillennium StadiumFIFA codeWALFIFA ranking61Highest FIFA ranking27 (August 1993)Lowest FIFA ranking113 (September 2000)Elo ranking48Highest Elo ranking3 (1876-1885)Lowest Elo ranking75 (September 2000)     Home colours  Away coloursFirst 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 CupAppearances1 (First in 1958)Best resultQuarter-finals, 1958Best resultQuarter-finals, 1976 (in Qualifying)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 the oldest national teams in the world, but have not qualified for a major international tournament since 1958.Although part of the United Kingdom, Wales has always had its own representative side that plays in all the major professional tournaments, though not in the Olympic Games as the IOC only recognises the United Kingdom.Wales were placed in Group 4 for qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup alongside Germany, Russia, Finland, Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein.Contents1 History1.1 The Early Years1.2 Post-war1.3 The 70s and 80s1.4 1990s - present day2 Players2.1 Senior squad2.2 Most-capped players2.3 Top goalscorers2.4 Notable former Wales international players2.5 English Football Hall of Fame2.6 English Football League 100 Legends3 Managers3.1 Other staff4 Competition history4.1 World Cup record4.2 European Championship record5 Stadium6 See also7 References8 External links//[edit] History[edit] The Early YearsWales 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 6 December 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 annually between England, Scotland, Ireland[1] 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.[edit] Post-warWales, 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. Belgium were drawn out of the hat but they refused and so then Wales was drawn and awarded a two-legged play-off match against Israel with a place in Sweden for the winners[2].Having beaten Israel 2–0 at the Ramat Gan Stadium and 2–0 at Ninian Park, Cardiff, Wales went through to the World Cup Finals for the first and, so far, 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 Pelé grabbing the only goal of the game for the South American side. However, Wales' chances of victory were hampered by the injury of John Charles.[edit] The 70s and 80sWales have never qualified for the final stages of the European Championships. However, in 1976, they did reach the last eight of the competition, having finished top of qualifying group 2 ahead of Hungary, Austria and Luxembourg. Prior to 1980, only four countries qualified for the final stages of the competition, and Wales were drawn to play against the winners of group 3 Yugoslavia, in a two legged match. Wales lost the first leg 2–0 in Zagreb and were knocked out of the competition having only managed a 1–1 draw in the return leg at Ninian Park.The following year, Wales defeated England on English soil for the first time in 42 years and secured their only victory to date at Wembley thanks to a Leighton James penalty. Another notable achievement came in 1980, as Wales tore 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 at The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, just four days after England had beaten the then-world champions, Argentina.In the 1982 World Cup qualifiers, Wales came extremely close to qualification, a 3–0 defeat against the USSR in their final game meant they missed out on goal difference.Manchester United youngster Mark Hughes marked his debut for Wales by scoring the only goal of the game as England were defeated once again in 1984. The following season, Hughes was again on target, scoring a wonder goal as Wales thrashed Spain 3–0 at The Racecourse during qualification for Mexico 86.[edit] 1990s - present dayWales 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; 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.[3] Mike Smith took the reins 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.  Carl Fletcher, 2010 World Cup qualification.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,[4] Robbie Savage[5] and Mark Hughes, coupled with embarrassing defeats to club side Leyton Orient and a 7–1 thrashing by the Netherlands 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 play-offs for a place in Portugal against Russia. The defeat, however, was not without its controversy as Russian midfield player, Yegor Titov, tested positive for the use of a banned substance after the first qualifying leg[6], a scoreless draw in Moscow. 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, and the Russian team went on to beat Wales in Cardiff 1:0 to qualify for Euro 2004.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 Premier League. John Toshack was appointed manager for the second time on 12 November 2004.In the qualification for Euro 2008, Wales were drawn in Group D alongside Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus and San Marino. The team's performance was disappointing, finishing fifth in the group with expected defeat at home to Germany yet an unexpected draw away, a loss away and a goalless draw at home to the Czech Republic, a loss away and 2–2 draw at home to the Republic of Ireland, a 3–0 home win and uninspiring 2–1 away win against minnows San Marino, a 3–1 home win and 3–1 away defeat against Cyprus, and a spectacularly mixed performance against Slovakia — losing 5–1 at home and winning 5–2 away. However, better performances towards the end of the competition by a team containing, of necessity because of injuries and suspensions of senior players, no fewer than five players who were eligible for selection for the Under-21 squad has been viewed as a hopeful sign of future progress for the team.[edit] Players[edit] Senior squadWales' squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Liechtenstein and Germany on 11 October and 15 October 2008 was named on 29 September 2008. Aaron Ramsey is not included in the squad as he has been named in the Under-21 squad for Wales' European Championship qualifying play-off against England, while Arron Davies and Rhys Williams are omitted due to injury. Team captain Craig Bellamy has been included after recovering from injury, as have defenders James Collins and Lewin Nyatanga.[7]After the squad announcement, Freddy Eastwood, Robert Earnshaw, Joe Ledley and Brian Stock withdrew due to injury, while defender Steve Evans was added to the squad as cover.[8] Lewin Nyatanga was included in Wales Under-21s' 3–2 home defeat to England on 10 October, but is still included in the senior squad for the matches against Liechtenstein and Germany.After being unused in the Liechtenstein match, it was decided that it was not necessary for Steve Evans to travel to Germany and he returned to Wrexham on 12 October 2008.[9]Caps and goals are accurate as of the match played on 11 October 2008. Ages as of 15 October 2008.No.Pos.PlayerDoB (Age)CapsGoalsClubGKWayne Hennessey24 January 1987 (21)130 Wolverhampton WanderersGKBoaz Myhill9 November 1982 (25)20 Hull CityGKLewis Price19 July 1984 (24)60 Derby CountyDFGareth Bale16 July 1989 (19)142 Tottenham HotspurDFJames Collins23 August 1983 (25)251 West Ham UnitedDFSteve Evans26 February 1979 (29)71 WrexhamDFChris Gunter21 July 1989 (19)90 Tottenham HotspurDFCraig Morgan16 June 1985 (22)120 Peterborough UnitedDFLewin Nyatanga18 August 1988 (20)210 Derby CountyDFSam Ricketts11 October 1981 (26)290 Hull CityDFAshley Williams23 August 1984 (24)70 Swansea CityMFAndrew Crofts20 May 1984 (24)120 GillinghamMFSimon Davies23 October 1979 (28)546 FulhamMFDavid Edwards3 February 1986 (22)81 Wolverhampton WanderersMFCarl Fletcher7 April 1980 (28)331 Crystal PalaceMFOwain Tudur Jones15 October 1984 (23)20 Swansea CityMFJason Koumas25 September 1979 (28)3110 Wigan AthleticMFCarl Robinson13 October 1976 (31)491 Toronto FCMFDavid Vaughan18 February 1983 (25)140 BlackpoolFWCraig Bellamy13 July 1979 (29)5215 West Ham UnitedFWDavid Cotterill4 December 1987 (20)110 Sheffield UnitedFWChed Evans28 December 1988 (19)52 Manchester CityFWSam Vokes21 October 1989 (18)51 Wolverhampton Wanderers[edit] Most-capped playersAs of 12 October 2006, the players with the most caps for Wales are:#NameCareerCapsGoals1Neville Southall1982 - 19979202Gary Speed1990 - 20048573Dean Saunders1986 - 200175224Peter Nicholas1979 - 1991732=Ian Rush1980 - 199673286Mark Hughes1984 - 19997216=Joey Jones1975 - 19867218Ivor Allchurch1950 - 196668239Brian Flynn1974 - 198466710Andy Melville1989 - 2004653[edit] Top goalscorersAs of 12 September 2007, the players with the most goals for Wales are:#NameGoalsCaps1Ian Rush28732Trevor Ford2338=Ivor Allchurch23684Dean Saunders22755Mark Hughes1672=Cliff Jones16597John Charles1538=Craig Bellamy15529John Hartson145110Robert Earnshaw1339[edit] Notable former Wales international playersSee also Category:Wales international footballersSee also Category:Welsh footballersSee also Category:Welsh football biography stubsInductees to the Sports Council of Wales - Welsh Sports Hall of Fame are in bold:Ivor AllchurchWalley BarnesHorace BlewDave BowenRonnie BurgessJohn CharlesMel CharlesChris ColemanVic CroweDai DaviesBrian FlynnTrevor FordRyan GiggsJohn HartsonBilly HughesMark HughesLeighton JamesBryn JonesCliff JonesJoey JonesPaul JonesVinnie JonesFred KeenorJack KelseyLlewelyn KenrickGeorge LathamKen LeekJohn MahoneyTerry MedwinAndy MelvilleBilly MeredithGrenville MorrisJimmy MurphyPeter NicholasRoy PaulIvor PowellKevin RatcliffeLeigh Richmond RooseIan RushDean SaundersRobbie SavageAlf SherwoodNeville SouthallGary SpeedGary SprakeMickey ThomasJohn ToshackRoy VernonTerry Yorath[edit] English Football Hall of FameWelsh Inductees to the English Football Hall of Fame are:2002 John Charles2005 Ryan Giggs2006 Ian Rush2007 Mark Hughes, Billy Meredith[edit] English Football League 100 LegendsWelsh Inductees to the Football League 100 Legends are:Ivor AllchurchJohn CharlesTrevor FordRyan GiggsCliff JonesBilly MeredithIan RushNeville Southall[edit] ManagersSee also Category:Wales national football team managersNameCareer Walley Barnes1954-1956 Jimmy Murphy1958 Dave Bowen1964-1974 Mike Smith1974-1979 Mike England1979-1987 Terry Yorath1988-1993 John Toshack1994 Mike Smith1994-1995 Bobby Gould1995-1999 Mark Hughes1999-2004 John Toshack2004-present[edit] Other staffGoalkeeping Coach: Paul JonesTeam Doctors: Dr. Mark Ridgewell & Dr. Mark DaviesPhysiotherapists: Mel Pejic & Dyfri OwenMasseur: David Rowe[edit] Competition history[edit] World Cup record1930 to 1938 - Did not enter1950 to 1954 - Did not qualify1958 - Quarter-finals1962 to 2006 - Did not qualify[edit] European Championship record1960 - Did not enter1964 to 2008 - Did not qualify[edit] StadiumWales play most of their home matches at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. The stadium was built in 1999 on the site of the old National Stadium, known as Cardiff Arms Park, as the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) had been chosen to host the 1999 Rugby World Cup.Prior to 1989, Wales played their home games at the grounds of Cardiff City F.C., Swansea City A.F.C. and Wrexham F.C., but then came to an agreement with the WRU to use Cardiff 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 Jari Litmanen becoming the first player to score a goal at the stadium. Ryan Giggs scored Wales' goal in the match, becoming the first Welshman to score at the stadium.In recent seasons, a handful of friendly home matches have been played away from the Millennium Stadium at Swansea's Liberty Stadium and Wrexham's Racecourse Ground. However, due to recent price increases and a period with little success on the field, the 72,500 capacity stadium has only managed to fill around 20-40% of the seats, leading to calls by some for the football matches to return to Ninian Park, The Racecourse and Liberty Stadium.[edit] See also1958 FIFA World Cup[edit] References^ History of the Irish FA at www.irishfa.com^ Qualification for 1958 World Cup at RSSSF^ John Toshack profile at BBC Sport Online^ Gould in racist row with Blake at Socialist Review^ Wales reprieve for Savage at BBC Sport Online^ Wales consider Euro 2004 appeal at BBC Sport Online^ "Bellamy set to make Wales return", BBC Sport (2008-09-29). Retrieved on 2008-09-29. ^ "Hennessey trains again with Wales", BBC Sport (2008-10-09). Retrieved on 2008-10-09. ^ "Wales Squad Changes - A & Under 21", Football Association of Wales (2008-10-12). Retrieved on 2008-10-15. [edit] External linksFootball Association of WalesFootball Association of Wales TrustInternational results of WalesWelsh Football OnlineWelsh Football Data ArchiveDragon SoccerSports Council of Wales Welsh Sports Hall of Fame Wales portalFootball in Wales v • d • eNational association | National team | (Women's) | (Under 21s) | (Under 19s) | (Under 17s) |Welsh football league system | StadiumsCups : Welsh Cup | FAW Premier Cup | Welsh League Cup | Welsh Women's CupLeagues : Welsh Premier LeagueCymru AllianceWelsh Football League Division 1 | Division 2 | Division 3Welsh National League (Wrexham Area)Mid Wales League | Welsh Alliance LeagueSouth Wales Amateur League | Gwent County LeagueGwynedd League | Clwyd League | Anglesey League Football in the United Kingdomv • d • eNational teamsEngland | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland | UKNational associationsThe FA | SFA | FAW | IFAHistoryEngland | ScotlandNational team historiesEngland | Scotland | Wales | IrelandRegional national team competitionsBritish Home Championship | Rous Cup |4 Associations TournamentRegional club competitionsEmpire Exhibition Trophy | Coronation Cup | Texaco Cup | Anglo-Scottish Cup | FAW Premier Cup | Setanta CupTop level club league competitionsPremier League | Scottish Premier League | Welsh Premier League | IFA PremiershipNational cup competitionsFA Cup | Scottish Cup | Welsh Cup | Irish CupRules GovernanceInternational Football Association BoardFootball in…England | Scotland | Wales | Northern IrelandNational football teams of Europe (UEFA)v • d • eAlbania | Andorra | Armenia | Austria | Azerbaijan | Belarus | Belgium | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Bulgaria | Croatia | Cyprus | Czech Republic | Denmark | England | Estonia | Faroe Islands | Finland | FYROM | France | Georgia | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Republic of Ireland | Israel | Italy | Kazakhstan | Latvia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Malta | Moldova | Montenegro | Netherlands | Northern Ireland | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | San Marino | Scotland | Serbia | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland | Turkey | Ukraine | Wales International footballv • d • eFIFA | World Cup | Confederations Cup | U-20 World Cup | U-17 World Cup Olympics | Asian Games | All-Africa Games | Pan American Games | Island Games | Minor TournamentsWorld Rankings | Player of the Year | Teams | Competitions | Organizations | Codes Asia: AFC - Asian Cup Africa: CAF - Africa Cup of Nations North America: CONCACAF - Gold Cup South America: CONMEBOL - Copa América Oceania: OFC - Nations Cup Europe: UEFA - European Championship Non-FIFA: NF-Board - Viva World Cup v • d • eNational sports teams of Wales  Basketball · Cricket (Men – Women) · Curling · Football (Men – Women) · Field hockey (Men – Women) · Korfball · Netball · Rugby League · Rugby Union (Men – Women) ·Commonwealth GamesRetrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wales_national_football_team" Categories: Wales national football team | European national football teams | National sports teams of Wales Views Article Discussion Edit this page History Personal tools Log in / create account if (window.isMSIE55) fixalpha(); Navigation Main page Contents Featured content Current events Random article Search Interaction About Wikipedia Community portal Recent changes Contact Wikipedia Donate to Wikipedia Help Toolbox What links here Related changesUpload fileSpecial pages Printable version Permanent linkCite this page Languages العربية Català Cymraeg Dansk Deutsch Español Euskara Français 한국어 Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית ქართული Latviešu Lietuvių Magyar Malti मराठी Nederlands 日本語 Norsk (bokmål) Polski Português Русский Suomi Svenska Tiếng Việt Türkçe Українська 吴语 中文   This page was last modified on 15 October 2008, at 22:00. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details.) Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit charity. Privacy policy About Wikipedia Disclaimers if (window.runOnloadHook) runOnloadHook(); |
|
