John Toshack is confident his young Wales side can qualify for the next World Cup, despite being drawn in a tough group.
Wales boss believes side can qualify for South Africa
John Toshack is confident his young Wales side can qualify for the next World Cup, despite being drawn in a tough group.
Wales were drawn with Germany, who they played in qualifying for Euro 2008, as well as Russia, Finland, Liechtenstein and Azerbaijan, at the ceremony in Durban.
Toshack accepts that Germany are favourites but is looking to finish second at least and hopefully clinch a play-off place.
Toshack said: "We are playing Germany again but better the devil you know - we know what we are up against.
"Hopefully 10 months down the line our youngsters will have come on. We have won in Bulgaria, won in Slovakia, drawn in Germany - all sides ranked higher than us.
"We have wonderful supporters and it would be nice to be able to get Wales to one of these tournaments.
Young hope
"We are a very young side - five players in Germany last week were under 21 - even with Gareth Bale being injured - and the night before we beat France 4-2 in a competitive under-21 game.
"As much as you respect all the teams, maybe we can push the Russians and the Finns hard and go all out for that second spot."
Toshack is anxious that Wales may have to play on the artificial surface in Moscow where England recently lost to Russia.
"Russia are taking up the artificial pitch for the Champions League final in May - I hope they don't put it down again," he said.
"It's not a no-no but I would prefer a grass pitch."
