Giggs Retires from Internationals
Welsh Captain Played his Last Game for his Country against Czech Rep
Ryan Giggs, the Manchester United player, has decided to retire from International football. He captained Wales in his last game against the Czech Republic in Cardiff.
Ryan Giggs played his last game for Wales in a scoreless draw against the Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Although Giggs gave a 'man of the match' performance in his last game for his country he was unable to inspire them to victory.
Record for Wales
Giggs has won 64 caps for Wales and scored 12 goals since his debut as a substitute against Germany in 1991. He became Wales’ youngest international at the age of 17 years and 321 days and scored his first goal against Belgium in his first full game the following year. He was appointed captain of Wales in 2004.
The Manchester United winger who has had an exceptional season for the Premier League champions has decided to step down as Wales’ captain and retire from international football to enable younger players to have their opportunity. He also hopes that it will give him an opportunity to extend his club career which is reaching its twilight years with him reaching the age of thirty three.
Missed Qualification for Major Tournaments
As Giggs leaves the international scene, the draw with the Czech Republic realistically ended Wales' faint hopes of making the Euro 2008 finals, leaving them on seven points from six games. Wales have once again failed to reach the finals of a major competition, something that Giggs regrets, never having had the opportunity to appear on that major international stage. Giggs left the game to a standing ovation with two minutes remaining, handing the captain’s armband to Craig Bellamy, his successor.
There were a number of occasions when Wales came very close to qualifying fo rthe finals of a major tournament but ultimately failed. In 1994, Terry Yorath’s team lost to Romania in Cardiff when on the verge of qualification for the World Cup in the United States. A missed penalty cost the Welsh team dearly. Ten years later in a play-off for the Euro 2004 championships in Portugal, Wales lost by a single goal to Russia in Cardiff and Giggs missed a great goal scoring opportunity.
One of the highlights of his international career was a win over Italy in Cardiff under Mark Hughes at the start of the last European championships.
Ambassador and 'Legend' for Wales
Giggs has a great club record, winning nine Premiership titles, four FA Cup successes and a Champions League medal but hasn’t always produced his best club form for his international team. His recent showings have disappointed and during his career he rarely played in friendly games, missing over fifty matches. However, Giggs has been an exceptional ambassador for Welsh football and as captain of his country he has distinguished himself.
Ryan Giggs stands shoulder to shoulder with the past 'legends' of Welsh football - John Charles, Cliff Jones, Ian Rush, Mike England, Mark Hughes and his current international boss, John Toshack.
