On Thursday evening Gareth Bale will lead Wales out for a world cup qualifier against Austria. A fixture which could see the red dragon flown at a major tournament, for the first time in sixty-four years. The play off being the closest the British hopefuls have come since their adventures in Sweden. Going on to lose to eventual winners Brazil in the quarter final. Finland and Luxemburg the only sides to have more failed attempts at getting to world cup.
After being knocked out by a teenage Pele, Wales’ next match was against a historic Spain team. Following Denmark and Austria withdrawing from the qualifying stages of the 1962 campaign. Taking the lead at Ninian Park, the host were eventually pegged back by Alfredo Di Stefano. Who turned the match around in an impressive twelve minutes. Leaving a trip to Madrid a crucial outing. One hundred thousand people packed into the Bernabau as Wales were put out. Key players John Charles and Cliff Jones unable for the tie, playing a role in the forthcoming downfall.
Four years later Wales supporters had to endure even worse circumstances. Going out at an early stage, whilst neighbours England won the tournament. Defeats to Greece and the USSR a contributing factor. The only joy being a memorable story, one which saw Allchurch forgotten at an airport duty free shop. Airport antics continued for the 1970 world cup qualifiers. An overbooking of the flight saw left Gil Reece behind, as officials refused to give up their seats for the individual. Ending up with zero points picked up in matches against East Germany and Italy. Following two dreadful attempts Wales were more optimistic in the next round of matches. Beating England, and a win against Poland set up an interesting match in Katowice. A victory was all that was needed to qualify. For a third successive campaign, unexpected issues affected the Wales squad. Trevor Hockey initially forgetting his passport before being sent off in the match against Poland. Losing three nil come full time.
Wrexham hosted Wales’ best chance of qualifying since their loss to brazil. Where they beat the Czech Republic by three goals to nil, creating an ideal scenario. A win against rivals Scotland and a narrow defeat in Prague able to confirm their spot at the next tournament. This did not happen. Due to crowd issues the fixture was moved from Wales to Anfield, home of Liverpool fc. Where the Tartan Army converted the stadium into a mini Hamden. Controversially, a penalty was awarded against the dragons. David Jones punished for a handball committed by Joe Jordan. Scoring from the spot Don Masson ended the deadlock, before Liverpool legend Kenny Daglish added a second on his home turf, as Scotland progressed with a two-goal victory. Controversies carried on during the 1982 world cup attempt. Having won their first four matches, Wales were all but ready to play in a tournament for the first time in twenty-four years. Until the floodlights failed during their home match against Iceland at Vetch field. Leading to many supporters blaming the stoppage for the two all draw come full time. A month later Welsh hopes fell to the hands of the Soviet Union, who needed to beat Czech Republic. However, the Eastern European derby saw out a one all draw. Knocking Wales out on goal difference. Their next qualification story left them failing with similar fortune. Success came in wins over Iceland and Scotland at hampden, victory in the return fixture at Ninian park would book a play off with Australia. The winner heading to Mexico for the world cup. Hughes gave Wales the lead, before a penalty evened up the game. Once more leaving fans looking to results elsewhere. This time Iceland needing a draw against Spain, out in Seville. Despite taking the lead the underdogs were knocked out by two goals to one.
Four years on the odds were stacked against them. Taking on West Germany, Netherlands and Finland. The highlight being a bore draw against the Germans. Wales left bottom. From an impossible group to a very winnable one. The next world cup qualifiers looked an easy ride for the British side. Starting with a heavy defeat out in Bucharest, but all to play for come the final game. A win over fellow minnows Romania able to set up their spot in the United States. During the match, Gary Speed was brought down inside the box. Handing Wales, a penalty on sixty-three minutes, which was smacked against the bar after Paul Bodin took a shot from twelve yards. Ultimately, costing Wales the game as Florin Raducioiu sealed a victory with seven minutes to go. Under new management the dragons had their final attempt at qualifying before the millennium. Losing to Leyton Orient in the build-up, causing an unforgivable low heading into the campaign. Including six goal margins as they were beaten convincingly in Eindhoven and Turkey.
In 2002 Wales were handed a group consisting of Armenia, Belarus, Poland, Norway and Ukraine. Where they were beaten in their opening game, by a resilient Belarus side. Before draws against Poland and Ukraine confirmed their failure to qualify. The only victory being on the final day against Belarus. Going into their following attempt, hopes were high in the camp. Reality quickly bringing motivation down to earth as draws with Azerbaijan and Northern Ireland ended this opportunity to reach the finals. Leading to manager Mark Hughes, and captain Gary Speed departing their roles. Beginning a turmoil period. Things went from bad to worse as Wales looked to qualify for the tournament in South Africa. Now managed by John Toshack, they were booed off the pitch following an embarrassing two-nil defeat to Finland.
Tragically, Gary Speed passed away before their next chance. Making the upcoming fixtures difficult as the nation mourned the loss of a great. An icon who played a huge role in their football history. On and off the pitch. Passport issues returned when attention was focused on football. Now manager Chris Coleman forgetting his on the way to Macedonia. Who also considered quitting after a six one defeat at the hands of Serbia, going down as one of the worst defeats in Wales’ recent history.
Finally, the dragons had hope again ahead of the most recent world cup qualifiers. With the next tournament set to take place in Russia. Two years after an impressive run in the euros, which saw them as top seeds. Drawing against Georgia, and a three-game winning run led to the final fixture. Automatic qualification was a possibly if results went Wales’ way elsewhere. Success over Southern Ireland would be enough to guarantee a play off, at a stadium which they had not lost at for four years. Injuries to star players Gareth Bale and Joe Allen setting things off on a bad tone, as McLean’s shot stole qualification for the opposition.
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