Hughes looks on the bright side

Iwan Roberts missed a great scoring chance for Wales

Mark Hughes insisted Wales were still heading in the right direction despite their exit from World Cup qualifying.

Wales' faint hopes of reaching the finals in Korea and Japan next year were finally extinguished after the 0-0 draw with Armenia in Cardiff.

Hughes said: "In the first half I was pleased with our play, our possession. In the second I wasn't.

"Armenia came out after the break much sharper and quicker than us and it knocked us out of our stride.

It just didn't happen in that second half and we do not seem able to turn draws and possession into wins

Wales manager Mark Hughes

"It took us a long time to get our balance back.

"Of course I'm disappointed with the way things have turned out.

"But I will now turn to the future, play our last couple of group matches and then think about friendlies next year and plans for the next tournament.

"But I still think we are going in the right direction. We are a much harder team to beat, we are organised and we have now drawn six of our eight games.

"Against very good eastern European sides away from home, we have been splendid.

"But I felt we needed to be sharper and quicker in our play. It just didn't happen in that second half and we do not seem able to turn draws and possession into wins.

It's just up to us now to start scoring the goals

Ryan Giggs

"The atmosphere in the dressing room afterwards was very quiet, the lads were very disappointed in the way it went."

Ryan Giggs, who again missed a glorious chance to put Wales ahead, said: "We created enough chances and kept them out at the other end.

"We're definitely making progress, but we just need to turn that corner now.

"It was disappointing today because it was probably our best chance of a win.

"It's just up to us now to start scoring the goals."