Wales ended their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign with a battling 0-0 draw away to Germany.
Germany frustrated by Wales
Wales ended their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign with a battling 0-0 draw away to Germany.
John Toshack's inexperienced side enjoyed the better of the first 45 minutes as Germany, who had been denied the opportunity to take top spot in Group D following the Czech Republic's victory over Cyprus earlier in the day, looked lacking in imagination.
Robert Earnshaw and Simon Davies combined well in attack for Wales, who had no hopes of progressing to next summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland, and James Collins had a goal-bound header well blocked by Mario Gomez.
However, it was Lukas Podolski who came closet to breaking the deadlock when the German forward saw a long-range effort come back off the post after striking Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey on the back.
After the interval Hennessey was again fortunate as he flapped at a corner and Gomez managed to miss his header with the goal gaping.
Dominant
Germany then dominated possession and Miroslav Klose wasted a good headed chance, but Wales survived to secure a creditable point.
Toshack was able to recall Sam Ricketts from suspension, while Lewin Nyatanga, Carl Fletcher and Earnshaw all played after recovering from injury and illness and Chris Gunter, at 18, won his third cap.
The Wales boss had talked of trying to protect his young players ahead of this final qualifier, and the measure of his concern was born out with a starting line-up that had only three players with less than 10 caps.
Wales started with 240 caps between them, while Germany had 445 to underline, but Toshack's side started with remarkable confidence and kept possession well
However, after 10 minutes former Aston Villa man Thomas Hitzlsperger increased the pace, glided into space and set up Podolski for a 20-yard strike over the top.
Confidence
Wales kept working away, even if Earnshaw's task on his own up front against Real Madrid's Christoph Metzelder and Bremen's Per Mertesacker was a difficult one.
However, he was there in the box to head a Davies free-kick wide as Wales grew in confidence and started to catch Germany on the break.
Captain Davies had a fine game, supporting colleagues and finding space to set up attacks.
Germany did not seem to think they needed to play at any great pace, which suited Wales.
But when they did break with Philip Lahm down the left, the resulting cross was headed inches wide by Gomez.
Unlucky
Wales' response was an 18 yard drive from Fletcher that flashed equally close to a post.
Davies' run on the left then produced a cross that Collins unluckily headed against Gomez and behind.
Germany sent on Simon Rolfes for Hitzlsperger at the interval, and he was booked with virtually his first touch, for clattering Gunter.
Wales visibly began to tire and they survived a scare when Germany were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box but the chance was cannoned into the wall.
Germany continued to pour forward, but they could not find the goal they desired as Wales recorded a morale boosting draw.
