Giggs hails James after early goal sinks Slovakia

James 5

Wales had to withstand considerable spells of second-half pressure from Slovakia to preserve their lead, and Giggs was delighted to collect maximum points. “It was the perfect start really,” he added. “A clean sheet and three points.

“There was a bit of pressure on us. I tried to play it down beforehand but you can’t hide from the fact that the other teams have played and that Croatia and Slovakia got three points.

“It was nervy at the end. We didn’t really punish Slovakia enough in the first half, and you wonder if that will come back to haunt you.”

Wales resume qualifying action away from home against World Cup finalists Croatia and Hungary in June.

“It’s not going to be easy because it is two away games,” said Giggs, who confirmed that Wales would prepare for those fixtures with a six-day training camp in Portugal.

“We saw the other night when Hungary were unlucky [against Slovakia] and the quality of Croatia – everyone recognises they are favourites to win the group.”