Williams: Don't write Wales off yet

Wales defender Ashley Williams is refusing to give up all hope of reaching the World Cup finals, despite the shattering home defeat by Finland at the weekend.

It is certainly a very long shot now, but the Swansea defender is determined that Wales will go down fighting.

They meet Germany at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium tomorrow in a qualifying Group Three clash, and Williams said: “There is still a chance of qualifying even if most people feel the chance is gone.

“But if we get a couple of decent results next then things can change, we have to believe that. We are still in it.

“The boys still feel optimistic about it, that is why we are here and we can still qualify.

“We will be trying to beat Germany and to put on a good performance for ourselves and the country. We have played against Germany twice away in recent seasons, we got a great draw and were unlucky to lose 1-0 in this qualifying campaign.”

Williams was an unused substitute against Finland, but is expected to return to defence tomorrow along with Hull’s Sam Ricketts, who was suspended at the weekend.

“It was agony watching the Finland game from the bench,” Williams continued. “I could see it from the fans’ point of view and it was very frustrating.

“It is good that we have a team as big as Germany for our next game, we need to pick ourselves up quickly and you do not need much motivation for such a big occasion.

“They are world-class and very strong, but we are going to go out and give it a real good go. There is no point in being here if we don’t have that attitude.”

Williams will almost certainly be joined in the side by Wales’ new golden boy Aaron Ramsey, who is likely to make his full debut for his country after three substitute appearances.

Boss John Toshack has been reluctant to throw Ramsey in at the deep end, but after Saturday’s defeat Wales’ are in desperate need of some inspiration.

The Welsh public have been calling for Ramsey’s inclusion for some time but the former Cardiff youngster has not been listening to the hype.

“It does not concern me what is written and said about me or anything like that,” said Ramsey. “All I can do is the best I can when I do get selected.

“I am aware of what the Wales fans want from me, but I do not think or worry about that. I’m only interested in working hard to improve my game.

“We all have to earn the right to be given a chance, we all have to impress the manager and show we are ready.

“But you have to take the opportunities when you are given them. I will have to grab the chance when it comes.

“I’m just trying to impress on the manager that he should pick me.”