Youngsters shining a light on the road to S Africa

Feb 8 2008 South Wales Echo

WHILE Warren Gatland’s first success in charge of the nation’s rugby side has heralded an instant new dawn, the sun has taken a lot longer to cast its warm glow over the Welsh football team.

Four months ago, after abject performances in Cyprus and San Marino, the storm clouds were gathering over John Toshack and his men, and qualification for a major tournament appeared further away than ever.

But another accomplished display by an injury-ravaged Wales side in the 3-0 defeat of Norway on Wednesday night has given us cause to view the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign with optimism, rather than dread.

The phrase ‘meaningless friendly’ is well used in international football, but not by the managers themselves.

Toshack has always placed great emphasis on such fixtures, presiding over a dozen in his three-year tenure and losing only twice, in Cyprus and against Brazil.

This week was no exception, and the Wales boss learned several more valuable lessons about his squad he would never have gleaned from a three-day training camp.

The absence of Danny Gabbidon, Craig Bellamy and Gareth Bale has weakened Wales on paper, but not, it would appear, in terms of results.

Should Toshack need to call upon young guns such as Chris Gunter, Lewin Nyatanga and Craig Morgan again he can do so knowing they now have the experience to fill their boots.

But the biggest reason to be cheerful is that there are plenty more where they came from.

Cast an eye in the direction of Wales Under-21s and the future looks so bright, Brian Flynn must be permanently wearing his Ray-Bans.

The remarkable promise shown by the likes of Cardiff City’s latest wunderkind, 17-year-old Aaron Ramsey, West Ham’s Jack Collison and Man City striker Ched Evans (eight goals in six appearances) is set to give Toshack even more options.

Not that the Under-21s are just a waiting room for the senior side.

Under Flynn’s expert eye, and largely away from the media spotlight which falls on the senior team, the squad are on the verge of qualifying for Euro 2009 in Sweden, which would be unprecedented achievement for a Welsh side.

Their recent successes over France, Bosnia and Malta are breeding a winning mentality, an ingredient perhaps missing from Wales sides in past generations.

But to pin all our hopes on youth would be foolish, not to say unfair.

If Wales are to break their 50-year hoodoo and make it to the World Cup in two years’ time, the role of their more senior players is crucial.

We all know that the enigmatic Jason Koumas can win any game at the drop of a hat, but can he apply himself to the cause and give 100 per cent?

And when Bellamy and the walking wounded return to the fold, what will the effect be on the team, particularly those who have so ably deputised?

Toshack is forever stressing the need to have his big names available for selection, but the longer they are out, the more intriguing his task becomes when they return.

The next three games offer Wales the chance to extend their unbeaten run and build even more confidence by the time they open their Group Four campaign against Azerbaijan on September 6.

But are we expecting too much from such a young team?

Only a fool would book their ticket to South Africa on the back of one friendly win and a couple of impressive draws.

But in the meantime, there’s no harm in looking at the brochure.

simon.kendal-williams@mediawales.co.uk