The good news for manager Mark Hughes is that gritty midfielder Robbie Savage has recovered from an Achilles problem and Manchester United's Ryan Giggs is hot. Giggs scored both goals in a 2-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday.
Wales, a runner-up to Italy in Group 9, had three losses and a draw in its last four qualifiers.
"People say Wales were transformed under Mark Hughes, but if we do not qualify, it will be all about us not making it again, and we do not want to be labeled like that," he said. "But we feel we are good enough, and we will be heroes. If we do not qualify, it will be a crying shame."
Russia, second to Switzerland, scored 15 goals in four home wins. Forward Dmitry Bulykin isn't short of confidence.
Latvia finished second to Sweden and Hungary. Turkey, a semifinalist in the World Cup, was second to England.
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