Hughes guided his team to another Euro 2004 win

Wales manager Mark Hughes was pleased with a professional job well done after his side cruised to a 4-0 win over hapless Azerbaijan at the Millennium Stadium.

His only frustration was the summer break that now interrupts his side's so-far flawless qualification route to Euro 2004.

"We had to get the job done in Cardiff and we have done," Hughes told BBC Wales Sport.

"We had some good goals in a fine performance.

"The frustration of being an international manager is that you want to get the lads back together as soon as possible."

With Wednesday night's proposed game in Belgrade postponed, Hughes will have to wait until 20 August for his side's next competitive outing.

However, he described that fixture move as a "stroke of luck" for the men in red.

It's been a wonderful start, but there's a long way to go yet Wales manager Mark Hughes

"We would have been facing Serbia & Montenegro without some key players because of injury," said Hughes, referring in particular to captain Gary Speed and Robbie Savage.

"Our friendly in the US in May will do us good, then we'll get back together and take it on next season."

Hughes said that Wales' energy levels dropped off in the second half, but that it was understandable after taking such a big lead.

Hughes reserved special praise for Giggs' performance

The manager reserved special praise for Ryan Giggs, who recorded his first Wales goal for three years.

"I was very pleased with Ryan, I thought his overall performance was superb," said Hughes.

It was a result that will have all Wales eagerly anticipating a trip to Portugal, but the manager closed on a cautious note.

"It's been a wonderful start, but there's a long way to go yet."

Savage was taken to hospital during the second half for precautionary x-rays on his injured ankle.

The results showed that the damage was not as bad as first feared and he will be out for up to three weeks.

Speed is expected to be out for a fortnight after suffering a recurrence of a recent groin injury.