Wales changed from their usual 4-5-1 formation to a 4-4-2 style of play for the friendly in Latvia. With Ryan Giggs out of the first two World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Northern Ireland next month he was not considered for this warm-up game.

Craig Bellamy partnered John Hartson up front, while in midfield Jason Koumas and Mark Pembridge - both established central players - were forced to play on the right and left wing respectively.

Jones

Delaney Page Melville Thatcher

Koumas Savage Speed Pembridge

Hartson Bellamy

It was the tenth minute before either goalkeeper was forced to make a save when Rubins floated the ball into the box from a free kick for Latvia but the ball sailed over everyone before Paul Jones made a comfortable catch.

Kolinko in the Latvian goal had to catch the ball on his goal line in the 13th minute after Craig Bellamy had gone past several Latvian defenders and whipped in a cross which dipped under the crossbar, but into the former Crystal Palace goalkeeper's hands.

Latvia were awarded a free kick in the 20th minute near the corner flag. Laizans surprisingly went for goal from such a tight angle but Paul Jones managed to parry the shot into the path of Robbie Savage who cleared the ball from Wales' penalty area.

Wales came very close to scoring the first goal of the match through Craig Bellamy's twice deflected cross in the 22nd minute after he had used his terrifying pace to get past several defenders again.

Two minutes later Andrew Melville was substituted with a hamstring problem. He was replaced by Cardiff City's James Collins.

Jason Koumas chipped in with an important tackle in the 39th minute inside the Welsh penalty area, denying Rubins what would have been an excellent chance to give Latvia the lead.

In the 40th minute Latvia could have taken the lead when a low left footed cross from Rubins found Prohorenkovs who shot wide under pressure from John Hartson from inside the six yard box.

Three minutes later Jason Koumas decided not to use two other options as Wales broke from a Latvia attack. Instead the West Brom midfielder struck a low shot from 30 yards which was comfortably saved by Kolinko.

With a minute left of the half Jason Koumas was again in the action, this time picking out John Hartson with a pin-point cross but the Celtic striker could not head the ball towards goal.

HALF TIME: 0-0

Mark Hughes' side will have been pleased with the score at half time having not been at their best during the first half with Latvia looking like the team most likely to win.

Three minutes after the break Wales were awarded a free kick 25 yards out to the left of the goal. Gary Speed set up John Hartson who drilled a low shot wide.

On 50 minutes Mark Delaney was fouled by Oleg Blagonadezoins who was subsequently booked. From the resulting free-kick John Hartson chested down the high cross on the penalty spot but his volley went high over the bar.

Seven minutes later John Hartson flicked on a Mark Crossley kick for Craig Bellamy who almost capitalized on some poor defending by Latvia but his snapshot was off target.

Laizans attempted to shoot from another tight angled free-kick for Latvia on 59 minutes. However his shot went sailing over the cross bar.

Mark Crossley made a terrific save after 62 minutes. The Latvians opportunity in front of goal again coming from a set piece taken by Laizans. Semjonovs, who had just come on as a substitute fired the ball towards the top corner but Crossley was equal to it.

Minutes later Prohorenkovs latched on to a quick throw and was one on one with Mark Crossley with the Welsh defenders sleeping, however Wales were let of the hook as he sliced his shot wide.

Laizans came close on 66 minutes when he volleyed from the edge of the area after Wales had only half cleared a Latvia corner kick. His shot mist the top corner by inches.

Wales survived a major scare after 70 minutes when Laizans free-kick was headed onto the cross bar before Isakovs picked out Semjonovs who slammed it back against Isakovs. The ball then rebounded onto the post and towards a Latvian player who headed the ball onto the crossbar and out of play for a goal kick.

With quarter of an hour left Jason Koumas hit a lame free-kick at goal which didn't trouble Kolinko.

A minute later the ball was back in Wales' half as Laizans found space 25-yards out. He dragged his shot wide however.

Wales took the lead with ten minutes left from a free kick won by substitute Gareth Roberts. Jason Koumas whipped in an inviting cross for John Hartson who twisted his body superbly well to head the ball into the back of the net.

Laizans almost found an equaliser for Latvia with four minutes of normal time remaining. His low, drilled shot was collected by Crossley.

However, Craig Bellamy doubled Wales' lead with just two minutes left of normal time. An excellent through ball by Gareth Roberts put the Newcastle striker one on one with the goalkeeper and he finished the move superbly by knocking the ball into the far, bottom corner.

Verpakovskis came close to getting a goal back for Latvia after being released by a through ball into the box. His shot slammed into the side netting.

Wales' then saw out the remaining minute of injury time to secure the victory.

After the game Craig Bellamy admitted to Sky Sports that the side had not played at their best but was pleased with the result all the same.

"It's an excellent result, but nowhere near an excellent performance," said the former Norwich striker.

"First half we played OK, we we're quite good. Second half, we've won 2-0 but personally for me as a forward I think we're very, very fortunate."

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