Finland ... 0 Wales ... 2Finland's manager Antti Muurinen, contemplating Wales's first away win for 31 months and his team's second successive home defeat inside a month, had cut a disconsolate silhouette.
His demeanour had painted a stark contrast to Ryan Giggs's. "There has been a feeling of emptiness inside me caused by Wales never having made a World Cup or finals on an international stage during my time," said the 29 year-old, who made his Wales debut as long ago as 1991.
"I know playing for United has given me plenty of opportunity to play in the Champions League and against some of the world's best players. But I don't think I've ever had the recognition that I would have if I'd played at a World Cup finals," he said.
"It hasn't been for over 12 months but I have received stick from David Beckham and Paul Scholes. At least I can now go back and have a little peace." Goals either side of half-time, by Celtic's John Hartson and Tottenham's highly rated Simon Davies, had given Wales an unlikely victory in their opening group match.
Giggs certainly did his bit in Scandinavia - contributing to both Welsh goals. On 30 minutes he nudged on skipper Gary Speed's header for Hartson to shoot low into the corner from 12 yards.
Then 11 minutes after the hour his defence-splitting pass dissected Sami Hyypia and Hannu Tihinen. It was enough to release Davies who scored from just inside the box.
That finally brought a smile to the face of Wales manager Mark Hughes. "I was none too pleased at half-time because there wasn't enough quality in our passing and general play. But we picked things up in the second half."
"I'm delighted with this win. It gives us a good start in our qualifying group. We're going forward and are not on the back foot which was the case throughout our abortive World Cup qualifying campaign."
Hartson was refreshingly honest too. He declared: "We didn't play well before the interval and Mark Hughes told us so in no uncertain terms. I was delighted to score, though. I think I owed Wales a goal." ... n Guardian Service.
FINLAND: Niemi, Nylund (Johansson 70), Hyypia, Tihinen, Riihilahti, Saarinen (Kopteff 76), Nurmela (Kottila 86), Tainio, Litmanen, Kuqi, Kolkka. Subs Not Used: Jaaskelainen, Hietanen, Kuivasto, Ilola. Booked: Tihinen, Hyypia, Riihilahti, Tainio.
WALES: Paul Jones, Delaney, Melville, Gabbidon, Speed, Davies, Pembridge, Savage, Johnson (Bellamy 70), Giggs, Hartson. Subs Not Used: Earnshaw, Weston, Blake, Koumas, Carl Robinson, Crossley. Booked: Pembridge, Johnson. Goals: Hartson 30, Davies 72.
Referee: Konrad Plautz (Austria).
