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Wales boss John Toshack delighted to be drawn with England in Euro 2012 qualifying
Former Real Madrid manager eyes a second place finish...
07-Feb-2010 7:17:00 PM
By Nick Price
John Toshack has expressed his excitement after finding his Wales side in the same qualifying group as England for the 2012 European Championships.
The Welshman believes that, despite being written off in the past, Wales have what it takes to compete for a qualifying berth.
"Drawing England will please all the Welsh fans - plenty of history there and we like nothing better than another chance against the old enemy," Toshack told BBC Sport.
"I know Fabio Capello quite well, so I will look forward to being able to pit our talents against a powerful England team later in the year."
Whilst the group winners are assured of a place in Poland and Ukraine, only the best runner-up will go straight through to Euro 2012, with other second-placed sides competing for a place in the competition via a two-legged playoff - a feat that Toshack believes is not beyond his young side.
"We have had recent experience against both Bulgaria and Montenegro, and Switzerland are a good mid-ranking European side," he said.
"I imagine that all three sides [Wales, Bulgaria and Switzerland] would feel that second place is possible, it will be up to us to try and go one better than that."
Toshack revealed that he was happy to be drawn in a five-team group: "It means we will have less travelling and it will be possible to not play so many double-header games.
"Also, we do not have any far away fixtures such as we have had last time with Russia and Azerbaijan.
"All-in-all, a very interesting draw."
The Welshman believes that, despite being written off in the past, Wales have what it takes to compete for a qualifying berth.
"Drawing England will please all the Welsh fans - plenty of history there and we like nothing better than another chance against the old enemy," Toshack told BBC Sport.
"I know Fabio Capello quite well, so I will look forward to being able to pit our talents against a powerful England team later in the year."
Whilst the group winners are assured of a place in Poland and Ukraine, only the best runner-up will go straight through to Euro 2012, with other second-placed sides competing for a place in the competition via a two-legged playoff - a feat that Toshack believes is not beyond his young side.
"We have had recent experience against both Bulgaria and Montenegro, and Switzerland are a good mid-ranking European side," he said.
"I imagine that all three sides [Wales, Bulgaria and Switzerland] would feel that second place is possible, it will be up to us to try and go one better than that."
Toshack revealed that he was happy to be drawn in a five-team group: "It means we will have less travelling and it will be possible to not play so many double-header games.
"Also, we do not have any far away fixtures such as we have had last time with Russia and Azerbaijan.
"All-in-all, a very interesting draw."
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