Toshack sets third-place target

Cyprus v Wales
Neo GSP Stadium, Nicosia
Saturday, 13 October
Kick-off: 1715 BST
Live commentary on BBC Radio Wales & the BBC Sport website

Wales manager John Toshack has stressed the importance of Euro 2008 qualifying wins over Cyprus and San Marino because of seedings for the World Cup.

Toshack's side are fifth in Group D and all-but out of the qualification race but the results can play a future role.

Toshack has targeted finishing third in the group.

"If we could pick up six points that can influence the seedings for the World Cup - but I would rather not think too far ahead," he said.

Interview: Wales manager John Toshack

He added: "There is still a lot to play for. We can't finish first or second, realistically, but third is possible.

"We have to put pressure on ourselves to go for that third spot - it will help us so much in the future.

"I feel we are going along the right way and believe we can continue to pick up positive results."

Victory over Cyprus on Saturday will give Wales their third successive away win for the first time in 26 years.

It would also take Toshack's side to within a point of third-placed side the Republic of Ireland - who play group leaders Germany later in the day.

A stunning 5-2 win in Slovakia last month boosted Wales' hopes of claiming third spot in Group D and Toshack is confident is side can maintain their form.

"We have been trying to win away against a team seeded higher than us for a long time. And in Bulgaria and Slovakia recently, we have done just that.

"That has given the players a big boost. It is nice to see, as the months go by, the younger lads maturing and the more experienced players looking around and seeing that these kids are not too bad.

"That means people have to start taking on more responsibility. Things do take time, but we are quite pleased with the way it is going.

"These two games in four days give us a good chance of winning both.

"If we do then it sets up the next match perfectly against the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff in front of a big crowd. There is still a lot to play for."

Toshack was in jovial mood at Friday's media conference in Cyprus where he could not resist having another dig at his predecessor Mark Hughes.

Toshack has often questioned the perceived success of Hughes' tenure, but the Blackburn hit back in a BBC Wales Sport interview last week saying he could not have done much wrong because "I had an OBE for what I did so somebody thought I did something good".

Hughes' comments had obviously reached Toshack's ears and he sniped back: "We have won two away on the trot and now want another.

"I believe it will be the first time Wales have done that in 26 years. Maybe I will get an OBE for that, you never know!"

After facing Cyprus, who are level on 10 points with Wales, Toshack's men take on group whipping boys San Marino four days later.

Wales squad to play in Cyprus on October 13 and San Marino on October 17 in Euro 2008 Qualifying Group D:

Goalkeepers: Coyne (Tranmere), Price (Derby)
Defenders: Bale (Tottenham), J. Collins (West Ham), Eardley (Oldham), S. Evans (Wrexham), Gabbidon (West Ham), Morgan (Peterborough), Nyatanga (Barnsley), Ricketts (Hull)
Midfielders: Crofts (Gillingham), S. Davies (Fulham), Fletcher (Crystal Palace), Ledley (Cardiff), Robinson (Toronto), Vaughan (Real Sociedad)
Forwards: Bellamy (West Ham), Earnshaw (Derby), Easter (Wycombe), Eastwood (Wolves)

Cyprus squad to face Wales:

Goalkeepers: Antonis Georgallides (AC Omonia), Sofronis Avgoustis (AEK Larnaca FC), Michalis Morfis (APOEL FC). Defenders: Stelios Okkarides (Apollon Limassol FC), Marios Elia (APOEL FC), Georgios Theodotou (AC Omonia), Lambros Lambrou (Anorthosis Famagusta FC), Paraskevas Christou (AEK Larnaca FC), Marios P Nicolaou (Panionios FC), Christis Theofilou (Apollon Limassol FC). Midfielders: Chrysostomous Michael (APOEL FC), Elias Charalambous (PAOK FC), Efstathios Aloneftis (FC Energie Cottbus), Konstantinos Makridis (APOEL FC), Alexandros Garpozis (Apollon Limassol FC), Marinos Satsias (APOEL FC), Christos Marangos (Apollon Limassol FC), Konstantinos Charalampides (FC Carl Zeiss Jena). Forwards: Yiannis Okkas (Celta de Vigo), Nektarios Alexandrou (Larissa FC), Yiasoumis Yiasoumi (Aris Limassol FC), Michalis Konstantinou (Olympiacos CFP).

Source: BBC Sport