FT: Montenegro 1 Wales 0

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 3rd September 2010  

FT: Montenegro 1 Wales 0

Full Time Montenegro 1 Wales 0. Vucinic's goal is enough to settle the tie. Wales will be disappointed not to have taken something from the game, especially as there are bigger tests to come in Group G. They had their chances late on, but Toshack's men open with a defeat. Thanks for joining me and I hope you enjoyed the game.

90+5 One last chance for Wales to load the area as they win a free-kick. Hennessey takes but Basa climbs highest to nod a towering hearder clear.

90+4 Still time for Wales to snatch something here. They are certainly going for broke. Williams is now the only man back, with white shirts packed in the Montenegro box.

90+3 What a let off for Wales. A stray pass sends Vucinic in on goal, with only Hennessey to beat. He gets the ball caught under his feet and the Wales keeper is able to stop him in his tracks. Should have been two.

90+2 Great atmosphere inside this small stadium. The home fans are making a lot of noise, trying to carry their side to victory.

90+1 Wales living on the edge. Hennessey almost gives the ball straight to Vucinic, but just about manages to squeeze it through to Williams.

Five minutes of stoppage time to be played.

90 Wales have plenty of bodies pushed forward now, as they enter the last-chance saloon. Will we have late drama?

89 Wales argue the point, but the referee doesn't want to hear it. Chruch was just off, so the right call was made.

88 It's all going off now. At one end Montenegro plnat a header inches wide. At the other, Earnshaw's low shot is parried out and Church puts the ball in the net. The flag goes up, though, and the celebrations are cut short.

Substitution88 Vukcevic is replaced by Beciraj.

87 Foolish free-kick conceded by Williams as he comes over the top of his man. Montenegro eating up the seconds.

86 Off the bar from Church, Great tackle from Ricketts, who then floats over a great cross, Chuch gets up well and sees his header cannon back off the woodwork.

85 Bellamy peels away to the back post and is left all alone. He gets caught in two minds and in the end plants a tame header into the arms of Bozovic.

84 Better from Wales as they string some passes together. Bellamy suddenly springs clear. He goes for goal from a tight angle, when Church was free in the middle. Corner to Wales.

Substitution83 Novakovic on for Djalovic as Montenegro try to shut up shop.

82 Pekovic almost barges past two white shirts, but is eventually crowded out. A few tiring legs out there now and the pace of the game has slowed down considerably.

81 Bale drifts out wide and is not picked up. Williams sees him, but then over-hits his pass and the ball skids off the turf and out of play.

80 The ball breaks to Vukcevic, to feeds a clever pass into Vucinic. He tries to tease Morgan inside the box, but the defender isn't buying any of it and nicks the ball away.

79 Free-kick wide on the left for Montenegro is swung towards the back post. Hennessey does well, back-peddling, to keep his eye on the flight of the ball and clutch it to his chest.

79 Church on in place of Morison.

78 Montenegro are sitting much deeper now. Wales should expect to see more of the ball now, but can they do anything with it?

77 Earnshaw has three bites at the cherry, when maybe he should have been looking for a team-mate. His final effort comes off the end of his toe and loops into the stands.

76 Pekovic lobs a cross into the middle. Williams almost gets caught under it as he mistimes his jump. In the end the flag goes up anyway.

75 A corner to Montenegro is punched clear at the near post by Hennessey.

Substitution75 Collins will not be returning and Morgan comes on in his place.

74 Long throw from Bale has Montenegro in trouble. Earnshaw wins the ball in the air, somehow, but sees his header aimed straight at the keeper.

Substitution74 Boskovic is replaced by Vladimir Bozovic.

73 The players are taking the opportunity to get plenty of liquid on board. Collins has only just clambered back to his feet.

72 Collins has caught an elbow to the face and has stayed down. Toshack is on his feet bellowing instructions.

71 Bale takes this time, whipping the ball in towards the target. Again Bozovic does well as he comes and gets a solid punch on the ball.

Yellow Card70 Pekovic the latest to be cautioned for a trip on Bale. Another free-kick to Wales in a wide area.

70 Earnshaw involved straight away and he wins a free-kick off Zverotic wide on the left. Bellamy whips the ball in high this time, but Bozovic plucks it out of the air.

Substitution69 First change from Toshack sees Edwards make way for Earnshaw. Is he the man to find a goal from somewhere?

68 Hennessey caught in no-man's land. He comes for a long ball into the box and gets nowhere near it. Vukcevic beats him to it but can't divert his header goalwards. Another let off for the visitors.

67 Bellamy running down the centre, grappling with Basa as he goes. The Welshman hits the deck, but fails to get the decision.

66 Wasted by Bellamy as his low delivery goes straight out. With plenty of men forward, and having just tested the keeper, he should have just been throwing that up in the air and inviting a scrum in the middle.

65 Bale runs at Pekovic and forces a corner. Collins wins the ball in the air and Williams gets a slight touch in front of the keeper. The ball loops up in the air and Bozovic has to flap it away over the top.

64 Bellamy in a hurry to get things going for Wales. Bale launches a long throw into the box, but Jovanovic has acres of space to head clear.

63 The ball is pulled back to Boskovic, who gets his shot all wrong. The ball pinballs around the box for a moment, before Djalovic nods well wide. Wales survive a nervy moment.

62 Zverotic delivers into the heart of the box. The ball is allowed to bounce six yards from box before Williams slices it behind. A third corner in a row is then forced as Gunter flicks the ball over his own bar.

61 The resutling corner comes to nothing as Edwards nods clear. Wales can't get a foot on the ball, though, and Montenegro force another corner. Prolonged pressure now.

60 An hour in and Wales still trial. It could have been two there as Djalovic skips into the box. He looks to pull the trigger and is only denied by a desperate lunge from Williams.

59 Djalovic with a clever run across the Welsh back four. The ball is aimed in towards him, but has slightly too much pace on it and runs through to Hennessey.

58 Calmy done by Ricketts as he nods back to Hennessey. In fairness, he only had Vukcevic for company as Montenegro had dropped very deep.

Yellow Card57 As Bale chases back he trips Boskovic and is shown a yellow card.

57 Wales waste the free-kick as Bellamy plays it short towards Bale, who is not expecting it and gets caught in possession.

56 Pavicevic continues to walk a tightrope. He knocks Bale to the ground on this occasion and gets another lecture from the referee.

55 Ricketts gets across Pavicevic as he tries to break down the flank. The Wales full-back wins a free-kick as is able to relieve the pressure.

54 Bale takes and decides to go around the wall. His radar is off, though, and the ball skids harmlessly wide. Not his best it must be said.

Yellow Card53 Dzudovic gos into the book for tripping Morison on the edge of the box. Great chance for Wales, especially with Bale and Bellamy standing over the ball.

52 Bellamy is being as vocal as ever. As skipper he needs to get a few heads up and convince those around him that this is no lost cause. Montenegro have looked shaky at times.

51 Wales are chasing shadows a bit at the moment. Montenegro are keeping the ball well. Not sure what the visitors can do to get themselves back into this.

50 Vukcevic wins the battle and gets the ball up and over the wall. It also drops over the bar, though, and Hennessey can breathe again.

49 Ricketts with a clumsy challenge 35 yards from goal. Will Montenegro test Hennessey here? There are plenty of willing takers lining it up.

48 Steady build-up from Montenegro, who can take their time. It is up to Wales to up the tempo and allow the hosts no time on the ball.

47 Bellamy bursts past his man and closes on goal. With his route blocked he tries to drill the ball across, but there are too many bodies in the way.

46 No changes at the interval and we are as you were. Surely only a matter of time before Toshack's shakes things up, tactically or with a flurry of subs.

Wales get us underway again. Can they raise their game in the second half?

The players are back out and we are ready for the off again.

Feedback Lewis Pacey wants to see a change of system in the second half. He wants to see Toshack go 4-4-2, with Bellamy moved more central. Wales certainly need to do something as it is vital they take something tonight.

Sky Bet Remember you can also bet in-play at skybet.com. Montenegro are now 1/4 to take the points, with Wales 11/1 and the draw 7/2. You can get 9/2 on the game ending 1-1.

How do you see the second half going. Can Wales hit back? Let me know your thoughts at Chris.Burton@bskyb.com.

Half Time Montenegro 1 Wales 0. No time for the corner as the half-time whistle goes. Vucinic's effort seperates the sides. Wales have not been at their best, but their were encouraging signs at times, suggesting they could yet get back into this.

45+1 Williams hammers clear as Wales look to make it to the break with only a one-goal deficit. The last chance of the half falls to Vucinic as some poor defending allows him to get a sight on goal. The ball flicks behind off Collins.

One minute of stoppage time to be played.

Yellow Card45 Morison is cautioned for raising his arm again while challenging for a high ball.

45 Bellamy, who is now on the left, looks to have escaped in behind. He is, however, pulled back by the linesman's flag.

44 Good feet from Ledley, who hasn't seen enough of the ball. He wins a free-kick, but Wales waste possession as they try to get things moving too quickly. Williams the culprit on this occasion.

43 High, looping ball from Vukcevic. He did well to hook the ball over, but there are no red shirts in the box. Mixed bag from Montenegro, who look brilliant at times and woeful at others.

42 Vucinic given offside when he really should know better. He was looking right along the line. Worryingly, he had managed to escape the attention of Collins again.

41 Vaughan dances past two tackles and slips in Bellamy. At the crucial moment, just as he looks to be running clear, he slips. Sums up the first half for Wales.

40 Morison, who has dropped very deep, wins a free-kick. Can Wales snatch an equaliser before the interval? A few too many long balls from the visitors at the moment, as they are not a big side.

39 Wales break at speed. The ball is swung in towards Bellamy. Jovanovic half-clears, but is unable to prevent the Cardiff man gaining possession,. He sets his sights, and then slices horribly wide. Shame.

38 Vukcevic is able to hold off two Wales defenders by the corner flag and earn a free-kick. Vukcevic whilps the delivery under the bar, and Hennessey shows good hands to gather.

37 Vucinic is looking dangerous every time he touches the ball. Wales foul him again. Again, though, Montenegro refuse to throw the ball into the box from a well-placed free-kick.

36 Ricketts makes a rare foray forward, but looses his footing and the ball. Things aren't going Wales' way at the moment. They will be glad to get in at half-time at re-group.

35 Edwards with a great touch as the ball is fired into him. He appears to be pushed over inside the box, but the referee gives nothing. That could have been a penalty. Bozovic then gets the benefit of the doubt as he comes through a crowd to claim a long throw.

34 Jovanovic does brilliantly to keep the ball in play and lift over a cross. His team-mates have all given up, though, and there is no-one in the middle to challenge.

33 The ball isn't sticking up top at the moment for Wales. Morison, Bellamy and Bale need to do better, They have offered flashes of quality, but not enough.

32 Bale shoved to the floor by Jovanovic. The Spurs man takes the free-kick himself and Montenegro bundle the ball clear. Two Wales players appeared to bump into each other as they tried to reach the cross.

31 Vucinic was marked out as the dangerman and he has duly delivered. Wales face a test of character now. Toshack may also be thinking about changing Collins as he has been very poor so far.

Goal30 GOAL MONTENEGRO - VUCINIC. Great goal from the Montenegto skipper, but Collins was left flat-footed again. Vucinic burst past him like he wasn't there and then fired past Hennessey at his near post. Not a great goal from the Welsh perspective.

29 Great block from Ricketts as Vukcevic looks to unleash from distance. He appeared to hit his arm but he couldn't get it out of the way. Wales are rocking. Can they weather the storm?

28 Vucinic brushes past Collins, who looks tired. He hammers across goal, but Williams is able to hook the ball clear. Wales on the back foot again.

27 Gunter does well to reach a loose pass from Vaughan. His hopeful poke forward gives Morison no chance, though, and Bozovic is out easily to collect.

26 Vucinic is back with us. Wales, meanwhile, are looking to calm things down. They have been a bit up and down so far.

25 Vucinic is down, so we have a break in play. Montenegro worked the ball well to create their opportunity a minute ago and will feel that, from 12 yards out, Boskovic should have found the back of the net.

24 Smart save from Hennessey to deny Boskovic. Wales are all over the place at the moment. Montenegro sliced through them then and their keeper has bailed them out.

23 Pavicevic bombs forward from full-back and benefits from a Bale slip. He lobs the ball into the box and Vucinic really should do better as he flicks a header narrowly wide.

22 Patient build-up from Montenegro. Vukcevic eventually finds space inside the area, cuts inside and sends an arrowed drive fizzing past the post. Close, but not close enough.

21 Ambitious effort from Boskovic has Hennessey scrambling for a moment. In the end his 30-yard drive flashes past the post, but it wasn't too far away.

20 Sloppy from the hosts as Zverotic knocks a stray pass straight out of play. Wales have ruffled a few feathers and their manager will be delighted. They haven't silenced the crowd, though, who remain in good voice.

19 Wales now starting to pose a threat once more. Ledley pushes on this time and forces Basa into a hurried clearance. Toshack's side seem to have found their feet in the contest.

18 Bale finds himself out on the right wing and causes all kinds of problems. A direct run into the box takes him close to goal, but his square pass across the face is hammered clear.

17 Great delivery from Bellamy. Montenegro are all at sea, but no-one can get a touch. Morison came closest at the back post, but was inches away from making contact.

16 Much better from Wales, as they do get the ball down and knock it around. They work it from side to side, before Bale is checked by Pavicevic, who has already been booked. Promising position for the Welsh.

15 Vucinic goes down on the edge of a bosx after bundling into Vaughan. The referee waves him to his feet. Wales need to get a foot on the ball and enjoy a spell of possession.

14 Montenegro are starting to see more of the ball now. Collins is pulled up for climbing on Djalovic. Chance for the hosts to load the box. They choose not to, though, and the short free-kick does them no favours.

13 Jovanovic is down clucthing his head after Morison caught him with an albow. No intent from the Welsh striker and the game is soon underway once more.

12 Vucinic has time and space for a second, but Vaughan is on hand to pick his pocket. The Wales defence sat off then and that is a dangerous tactic to adopt.

11 Solid defending from Dzudovic as he tracks Morison towards the corner flag and wins a throw. The Millwall striker's touch let him down for a second there.

10 Collins and Williams deal with a long throw into the box. They do get in each other's way a bit, but get the ball to safety and that is all that matters.

9 The free-kick is hoisted long towards Morison. He gets a touch to the ball but is judged to have been climbing on his man. Positive start and I get the feeling we will get goals.

Yellow Card8 Pavicevic is the first man into the book for coming through Bale with a tackle from behind.

8 Bellamy claims a handball inside the box, but gets nothing. Wales look dangerous on the counter, but need to be careful of leaving too many gaps down through the middle as Montenegro are capable of making them pay.

7 Bellamy skips past Jovanovic, which is a promising sign. His cross picks out Ledley, but his effort loops into the arms of Bozovic.

6 Wales struggle to clear their lines, with the ball bobbling around the edge of the box. Bale does eventually lead a counter, but is unable to pull the ball across to a white shirt.

5 Morison spins in behind his man and almost latches on to a long ball over the top. At the other end, Collins gets dragged out of the centre and Hennessey has to push a Djalovic shot round the post.

4 Vaughan is prepared to drop in for Wales and provide cover for the back four. Bellamy is clattered, but bounces back to his feet.

3 Bellamy and Ledley combine to good affect. The latter gets in a shot from distance, but sees his strike sail high over the crossbar.

2 Good football sends Bellamy scampering down the flank. His cross is deflected en route to Morison, but he is unable to find a yard to get in a shot.

1 Wales will be glad to find that the temperature has dropped in time for the game. It has been roasting over recent days. That may play into their hands.

Montenegro get us up and running.

Feedback Last word from Lewis Pacey before we get underway. He thinks Bellamy will be key tonight. He says that if the Cardiff man plays well, Wales are in with a chance. He might be right. We are about to find out!

We are about ready for the off here. Lively atmosphere inside the stadium, with a few hundred Welsh supporters having made the long journey to support their side. Hopefully they will have something to celebrate.

Feedback Olly Warren is another backing Toshack's men to secure a morale-boosting result tonight. He feels Wales could struggle to match England, but believes they are more than a match for every other side in the group. Olly has also pointed out that Montenegro may not be the same side without star striker Stevan Jovetic.

Feedback Rhys Issac is in confident mood ahead of kick-off. He feels that Wales, who have a squad brimming with Premier League talent, can upset the odds tonight. He also sees no reason why they cannot mount a sustained push for qualification. We shall see.

Can Wales get a positive result tonight, or will they be left disappointed? What can we expect from Steve Morison on his competitive debut? Who else should Wales be wary of in the Montenegro ranks? Feel free to share your opinions.

No doubting that Roma striker Mirko Vucinic poses the biggest threat to Wales tonight, while Toshack will be looking towards the likes of Bellamy, Bale and Ledley to offer a cutting edge for his side.

Tonight's referee is Anastassios Kakos from Greece.

Wales team: Hennessey, Gunter, Collins, Williams, Ricketts, Ledley, Edwards, Vaughan, Bale, Bellamy, Morison. Subs: Myhill, Evans, Morgan, King, Church, Cotterill, Earnshaw.

Montenegro team: Mladen Bozovic, Zverotic, Djudovic, Pavicevic, Jovanovic, Basa, Vukcevic, Boskovic, Pekovic, Vucinic, Djalovic. Subs: Blazic, Batak, Beciraj, Novakovic, Vladimir Bozovic, Savic, Delibasic.

Sky Bet You can also bet in-play at skybet.com. Montenegro start as 5/6 favourites, with Wales 3/1 and the draw 9/4. You can get 15/2 on Craig Bellamy opening the scoring.

How will the game play out? Let me know your thoughts at Chris.Burton@bskyb.com.

Both sides will be well aware of the need to get off to a bright start, so three points tonight are vital - espcially as England, Switzerland and Bulgaria are fancied to go well in Group G.

Wales have never qualified for the Euros, while they have failed to grace a World Cup finals since 1958. They have plenty of incentive then to do well.

Montenegro are competing in European Championship action for the first time as an independent nation and will want to make a positive impression.

Welcome to our coverage of tonight's Euro 2012 qualifier between Montenegro and Wales.

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