Toshack's Wales can only finish fourth in their World Cup group

Wales manager John Toshack blamed "sloppy" goals for his side's 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat to Finland in Helsinki.

Goals from Roni Porokara and Niklas Moisander ensured the Finns finish third in Group Four ahead of Wales.

"We are bitterly disappointed by the result. We wanted to finish in third spot and that is now beyond us," said Toshack.

"We conceded two very sloppy goals with mistakes from experienced defenders."

Wales got off to the worst possible start on five minutes when Roni Porokara slotted into an empty net from 12 yards from Wayne Hennessey's parry.

Craig Bellamy drew Wales level 12 minutes later sliding home David Vaughan's squared-ball from the left.

But Niklas Moisander's strike 13 minutes from time to seal the win.

"We had a poor start, scored a super goal but then things just petered out," said Toshack.

"With the amount of injury problems we have had, we were only able to name four players on the bench.

606: DEBATE Toshack has not a clue, he needs to be sacked so someone can come in who is not going to fall out with everyone and who can motivate the players LFCGoosey

"That in the end denied us any options to be able to change the game.

"The goals we let in were sloppy although I felt we deserved a draw."

Toshack's side will finish fourth regardless of their result in the final qualifier in Liechtenstein Wednesday.

And Toshack hopes for more luck in the next set of qualifiers after missing out on next year's World Cup in South Africa.

"This group has been very frustrating and we have had one problem after another," he added.

"We have lost twice to Finland while doing okay against the two big sides, Germany and Russia.

"I won't be glad to see the back of this group, only glad one day to see us able to put out our best side without injuries, withdrawals and retirements to disrupt our plans."

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