Tosh bemoans depleted resources

Wales boss disappointed 15 senior pros missing after loss

Last updated: 23rd May 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Tosh bemoans depleted resources

Toshack: Saw side lose

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Wales boss John Toshack was disappointed that so many senior players were missing after his side lost 2-0 in Croatia on Sunday.

Toshack's side went down to a sublime strike by Ivan Rakitic on the stroke of half-time before substitute Drago Gabric made sure of the win nine minutes from time.

Earlier on, Wales could have taken a lead midway in the first period but Simon Church's effort was disallowed for offside.

The Wales boss was disappointed the goal had not been allowed to stand, as well as the fact his side travelled with a squad of just 17 after 15 players, including the likes of Craig Bellamy, James Collins, Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, were ruled out for the trip.

Disappointing

He said: "It is just disappointing and unfortunate we had the amount of players missing we have.

"We arranged this game with the Montenegro match in mind in September because it will be a similar type of atmosphere.

"But we had a few chances and there was a goal - I don't think anyone would have complained too much if it had stood.

"There were one or two useful counter-attacks and we defended quite resolutely.

"To lose the first goal right on half-time was a disappointment and in the second half, bearing in mind some haven't played too much, we were stretched numbers-wise."

Bilic happy

Croatia boss Slaven Bilic believed his side had deserved the win, but he also praised the battling efforts of Wales.

He said: "In the first half we made many mistakes but in the second we were much better and much faster. We won with great power

"Wales are not technically at the highest level but they play great British football.

"They were good running forward and played well through the middle."