Montenegro sink Wales on European championship debut
PODGORICA, Montenegro, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Montenegro made an immediate impact in their first European championship qualifying campaign by deservedly beating Wales 1-0 in Group G on Friday.
The former Yugoslav republic, who became a full member of UEFA in 2007 and won only one of their 10 qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup, looked assured against a Wales team who are already up against it in a group including England and Switzerland.
Montenegro were on top from the start and went ahead after half an hour as captain Mirko Vucinic, a threat all night, broke through some weak defending to shoot low past Wayne Hennessey at his near post.
Radomir Djalovic was denied a second goal when defender Ashley Williams somehow blocked a goalbound-shot midway through the second half as the hosts continued to press.
Wales, though, launched a furious late assault and came close to an equaliser when Simon Church headed against the bar four minutes from time.
