Wales manager John Toshack has been left clutching at the fleeting chance that his side could still snatch third spot in their World Cup qualifying Group Four.

Wales lost 3-1 to Russia last night at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium to finally end their mathematical hopes of qualifying for next summer's finals.

But Wales had long since given up any realistic chance of reaching South Africa, even if they battled hard against an experienced Russian side who are now left to fight it out with Germany for top spot and the automatic qualification place for the finals.

But with Finland only drawing in Liechtenstein last night, Wales still have a chance of overhauling them in third spot if they can win their final two group games, away to Finland and then Liechtenstein next month.

Toshack said: "After all the trials and tribulations we have had in this group, and all the very bad luck with injuries and results, we still have the chance of catching Finland.

"If we can do that it will help our seeding in the next tournament. We must now aim to win both of our last two games and expect that Germany beat Finland next month."

Toshack reckons that Russia were "flattered" by their 3-1 scoreline.

He said: "The lads did everything that was asked of them.

"The tactics we worked on beforehand, and the plans we made, were carried out the way we asked them. They were disciplined and we controlled much of the play in the first half."

But Wales were behind at the break after Andrey Arshavin created a fine goal for Igor Semshov.

James Collins equalised for the Welsh soon after the break, but a late free-kick driven in by Sergei Ignashevich and substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko's goal in injury time settled the issue.

Toshack said: "There was not too much in it, we conceded at a bad time after doing well and when we equalised I felt we had a chance of making the game very interesting.

"After Collins' goal we had them on the ropes for a decent spell and could easily have taken the lead. But we gave away poor goals at the end, the third was a comedy of errors, and you are punished if you do that.

"But overall I felt the scoreline flattered them, we did not deserve to lose by that amount."
Russia boss Guus Hiddink believed that his side deserved their victory, although he praised Wales' spirit.

He said: "Wales had great spirit, but they did not really create too many chances.

"But we know it is always difficult here in Cardiff, and in the second half we were not at our best and lost some of our positioning."