Saturday 11 October 2014 10:03, UK
Wales boss Chris Coleman admitted he was the proudest he has ever been of his side after the goalless draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Wales maintained their unbeaten start to qualifying in Group B with a hard-fought 0-0 draw with Bosnia at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Bosnia, who took part in this summer's World Cup finals, dominated for long periods in the second half, but could not find a way past a resolute Wales backline and Coleman was full of admiration for his side's performance.
"A point at home we want three, but I think the performance pleased me more than the point if I am to be honest," Coleman told Sky Sports.
"When you saw the reaction from our supporters they were brilliant tonight our supporters. When we walk out to that signing the national anthem that took me back to when I was a player and used to play at Cardiff Arms Park.
"The atmosphere was incredible and the lads stepped up
"We were up against a very good team and we knew they were going to have chances, we knew we would have to ride our luck a little bit, but they had to ride their luck also.
"I thought our lad were absolutely magnificent so it's the proudest I have ever been of them. To a man they were heroic."
Coleman was happy to keep a clean sheet with Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey in inspired form in the second half.
"We need to keep clean sheets if we are going to do anything and at times some of the lads were throwing their heads in front of shots and just desperate to keep them out and we have to have that mentality," added Coleman.
"We said before the game if anybody takes anything off of us here they are going to have to work mighty hard for it.
"We know we are good with the ball, we know we can pass the ball, but we talked about needing to be streetwise and managing teams when they come especially good teams like Bosnia who have lots of possession, huge threat up front and we have to match that and we have to have answers for them and we did tonight. I thought we were brilliant."
Coleman also had words of praise for captain Ashley Williams after he wasted the home side's best goalscoring opportunity late on when he missed a free header inside the six-yard box.
Ashley Williams is one of the best defenders I've seen in Welsh football. Maybe when he attacks corners at the other end, he looks like he's defending them. But he came off that pitch and he had no more to give. It was a magnificent performance.
"I think Ash is one of the best defenders I have seen in Welsh football and I think we need to have a chat with him because when he attacks corners he looks like he is defending them.
"When he came off the pitch he had nothing left Ashley as did the rest of the lads and that is how it should be when you play for your country - that is what our fans want to see”
