Email
Print
Digg This
CARDIFF, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Substitute Sam Vokes saved Wales' blushes with a late winner to give them a 1-0 win over 10-man Azerbaijan in the opening match of their World Cup qualifying campaign on Saturday.
Vokes struck his first international goal in the 83rd minute to rescue John Toshack's side when Azerbaijan looked like escaping with a draw in the Group Four encounter.
Jason Koumas' second-half penalty miss, saved by Kamram Arhayev, looked to have been crucial before Vokes prodded home Gareth Bale's corner.
Azerbaijan almost took a shock lead after 11 minutes when Branimir Subasic and Rashad Sadygov both went close in the space of a minute.
Toshack's side received another let off when Javid Huseynov fired over before Wales found their feet against the former Soviet state who defended in their numbers.
Koumas twice came close to scoring an opener before his 66th-minute penalty, awarded after Chris Gunter was tripped, was saved. Fabio Luis Ramim was dismissed for two yellow cards before Vokes grabbed the late goal. (
