Wales forced to look ahead as World Cup dream ends

Wales will face Northern Ireland in a friendly in Cardiff on Tuesday - rather than a play-off final for the World Cup - after being beaten by Bosnia-Herzegovina [Getty Images] It can be hard to look ahead when there are tears in eyes. And yet Wales have no choice after the pain of penalties once again means a major finals will take place without them. Craig Bellamy's squad did not want to be looking towards tournaments beyond this summer's World Cup.

But having been beaten by Bosnia-Herzegovina on spot-kicks in Thursday's World Cup play-off semi-final, it is the only thing they can do. "We've got so much more to come," said Dan James. The winger's spectacular strike early in the second half had put Wales on course to face Italy in a play-off final on Tuesday, but Edin Dzeko's late header steered the Cardiff night in a different direction.

"It just wasn't meant to be but we always speak about together stronger and that's what we are," James added. "It's an absolute pleasure to play for this team. We'll dust ourselves down because we've got so much to look forward to.

" First up for Wales, on Tuesday, is the unappetising prospect of a friendly against fellow play-off losers Northern Ireland, who lost their semi-final against Italy in Bergamo on Thursday. Longer term there is the potential of a home European Championship in 2028, with Wales co-hosting alongside England, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland. "That was the talk after the game," said Harry Wilson, who hit the bar early on against Bosnia-Herzegovina but could not deliver a decisive blow before the game went to penalties.