AZERBAIJAN 0, WALES 1
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JOHN TOSHACK watched his Wales young guns snatch a World Cup victory in Azerbaijan and then said: "That's for the fans."
David Edwards fired the Welsh Dragons to Group Four victory in Baku, and proud Wales boss Toshack, who picked a side with an average age of 21, admitted: "I know the fans were very disappointed with what happened in the last two qualifiers against Finland and Germany.
"A very small number of fans came a long way to watch this game so it was important we put on a performance for them.
"I told the players before the game it was going to be tough and hostile - but there are fans here who have travelled halfway around the world and paid money to do it.
"I said to them if they feel tired they should look at the corner of the ground where the Welsh fans are and push yourselves as hard as you can. That's what we did. We've got the fans in our hearts."
He added: "We came here missing all our experienced players so to get the win is very pleasing."
Toshack handed Arsenal teenager Aaron Ramsey, 18, and Reading striker Simon Church, 20, their first competitive starts with 22-year-old Cardiff midfielder Joe Ledley leading his country for the second time.
Despite some rough-house Azerbaijan tactics, they competed well and Edwards fired them into a deserved lead in the 42nd minute.
Azeri goalkeeper Farhad Veliyev fumbled Neal Eardley's cross and the ball fell invitingly to the Wolves midfielder who silenced the noisy home support by forcing the ball home from two yards out.
Toshack's side were put under heavy pressure in the second-half but an Azeri side that has failed to score so far in the Group Four campaign rarely troubled Wayne Hennessey in goal and they held on for a deserved win.
"Hopefully the win has restored a bit of faith in this team which was lost after Finland," said goalscorer Edwards.
"The second-half was very difficult because they were throwing the kitchen sink at us but we held out and to get the win is massive. We were desperate to do well out here after the last two qualifiers."
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