We must win next two qualifiers: Toshack

Manager John Toshack believes if Wales do not win their next two World Cup qualifiers, they can say goodbye to dreams of reaching the finals in South Africa in 2010.

The Wales boss watched his battling side lose just 1-0 to a German side who now top qualifying Group Four, with Russia in second place.

Wales must now wait until next March for a five-day period when they play Finland and Germany at home.

And Toshack said: “If we cannot win those two games then we can forget about qualifying.”

Toshack was full of praise for his side, but Wales have now failed narrowly in two away group four qualifiers against two of the best four sides in Europe.

Last month Wales lost 2-1 in Moscow to the Russians, and were equally close here before being beaten by a second-half strike from Piotr Trochowski.

“Of course we are very disappointed, to have come so close against two of the top four countries in Europe,” said Toshack.

“But I could not have asked for any more from the lads. They gave everything, but just came up short again.

“I had players out there like James Collins and Craig Bellamy who neither had played for a year.

“I worried about even putting Collins into the match under such circumstances but they were magnificent.

“Germany had a lot of the ball and some good chances, but we made two or three good openings too and could easily have got something.”

He added: “But it means in terms of qualification, we now know we must win our next two home games or we are wasting our time.

“We play Finland and Germany in Cardiff in a five-day period at the end of next March. Those two games must be won.

“In fact, we really cannot afford to lose any more of our qualifiers now. We have played our hardest two matches, both away, so we must look to get something from every other game we play.”

Germany retained top spot with this win, their second in five days, while Russia took over second spot with a victory over Finland.

Toshack said: “We have always known this was going to be a very hard group to qualify from. But we have given it our best shot.

“We needed to win our two home games against Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein, and we were looking to maybe nick a point away to Russia or Germany.

“I actually felt we played a lot better in Moscow, certainly in that second half when we were really going for it.

“But the Germans are a fine side, they kept possession and controlled the ball. They had us pushed back in the second period and it was hard for the lads.

“But Craig (Bellamy) had a couple of great runs and almost set up goals for us. In the end it was very close, but still so disappointing to get nothing.”