Wales took on Azerbaijan looking to secure a victory to push them up the European Championship 2008 rankings, they did not disappoint, bright and lively from the off, Wales raced into the lead following a superb free kick from Ryan Giggs on 5 minutes.

The Welsh defence, who were well marshalled by West Ham United’s outstanding Danny Gabbidon, returning from suspension, easily soaked up the pressure that they would have expected from the away team following their early lead, and the Welsh midfield were always eager to push forward.

Having already excelled in his captains role, Giggs put the icing on the cake by showing a clean pair of heels to four Azeri defenders, before curling in a shot for his 11th international goal. Emin Imamaliyev should have pulled the Azeri level before the break, but Paul Jones blocked his point-blank shotThe victory in Cardiff, following Saturday's 3-2 win over Northern Ireland, ensured Wales' first back to back wins in competitive matches since 1998.

Wales at least stayed ahead of Azerbaijan in the final Group Six table, finishing second-bottom thanks to eight points from 10 games. But the way they ended the campaign bodes well for the next big task - qualification for the 2008 European Championships Wales got off to the perfect start with just three minutes on the clock through skipper Giggs, after David Vaughan was fouled just outside the area.

The Manchester United man had earned victory over Northern Ireland on Saturday with a curling free-kick and produced another fine effort to hit the back of the net Azerbaijan should have equalised just after the quarter-hour mark as the quicksilver Zaur Tagizade beat Wales left-back Danny Collins to the byline Tagizade's cross was met strongly by Imamaliyev six yards from goal, only for Paul Jones to make himself big and deflect the ball over the bar with his knee.

If Tagizade was causing problems down the Wales right, then Vaughan and Giggs were doubly dangerous down the Azeri left The pair combined in quick succession to create openings for first Carl Fletcher's left-foot shot and then John Hartson's header, but Dmitriy Kramarenko saved both.

Hartson would dearly have loved a goal to celebrate winning his 50th cap, but luck was not with the Celtic strikerThe post came to the Azeri goalkeeper's rescue as Simon Davies' cross found Giggs, whose shot back across goal rattled the woodworkBut six minutes after half-time Wales found that elusive second goal and it was Giggs again who dealt the killer blow.

The ball broke kindly for the 31-year-old, but from then on it was all skill as Giggs rounded four defenders before curling his shot inside the far left-hand post. That was Giggs' 11th international goal, putting him level with Billy Meredith on the Wales scoring list in 11th place.

With a two-goal cushion Wales were able to give 21-year-old Gillingham midfielder Andrew Crofts his Wales debut, replacing Carl Fletcher. Wales boss John Toshack also felt comfortable enough to let Giggs have an early bath, although his skipper may have wanted to stay and try for his first senior hat-trick. David Cotterill replaced Giggs, while Danny Gabbidon took over the captain's armband to lead Wales until the final whistle.

Wales:
Jones, Duffy, J Collins, Gabbidon, D Collins, Davies, Fletcher, Robinson, Vaughan, Giggs, Hartson. Subs: Earnshaw, Cotterill, Williams, Edwards, Ricketts, Crofts, Margetson.

Azerbaijan:
Kramarenko, Mahir Shukurov, Agayev, Sadygov, Amirbekov, Kerimov, Guliyev, Muzika, Ismaylov, Imamaliyev, Tagizade. Subs: Nabiyev, Akhmedov, Bakhshiev, Gurbanov, Hasanzade, Aliyev, Ruslan Poladov.
Referee: Martin Hansson (Swe).

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