Toshack kids shine: Double joy as Koumas clinches it for Wales

The Wales boss was hit yet again by untimely withdrawals ahead of this friendly as preparations began for the World Cup qualifying campaign that starts in seven months' time.

Without current and former skippers Craig Bellamy and Daniel Gabbidon, Toshack's team had a distinctly fresh look about it, but a visit to the dressing room prior to kick-off from Ryan Giggs seemed to inspire Toshack's young team.

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Thanks to goals from Carl Fletcher — his first for his country — and a brace from Jason Koumas, the veteran manager was able to add another significant international scalp to his collection as the hosts went a fourth game without defeat.

Not since Ian Rush's solitary goal earned them victory in 1982 have they been able to boast a triumph over the Scandinavians but there was little doubt from the outset that the hosts meant business.

Indeed, in addition to the two goals, both Koumas and David Edwards struck the woodwork on a night when confidence grew just that touch further that Toshack's team may be able to make a decent fist at qualification for South Africa in 2010.

Toshack is desperate for his team to come of age, but the XI that took the field last night still had a distinctly youthful feel to it.

And the fact there were more players appearing regularly in the Barclays Premier League for the visitors than there were for the host nation, put Wales' task against Age Hariede's side into perspective.

Toshack's team drew first blood with their first true foray on the quarter-hour.

Freddy Eastwood's ball down the inside-left channel gave Fletcher a rare chance and the midfielder lifted the ball over Hakon Opdal.

It had become apparent that Wales were less disturbed by the conditions than the Norwegians. Martin Andresen was lucky to escape the attentions of referee David McKeon after the official failed to spot a stamp on Fletcher.

Norway had shown surprisingly little invention but substitute Christian Grindheim should have done far better than just end up with a jersey full of Welsh mud when he flung himself at Jarl-Andre Storbaek's deep cross.

However, it is said that youth knows no fear and back came Wales. Cotterill, set up by Koumas, saw his shot take a deflection and hit the inside of the post.

Koumas then hit a post with a free-kick and minutes later, the Wigan man cut inside from the left and curled a delightful shot into the bottom left-hand corner.

The icing on the cake came a minute from time when Koumas finished from close range after selfless play from David Edwards on the break.