Group D Wales v Slovakia: Wales 1, Slovakia 5 Paul Jones was surely tempting fate when he made a visit to the hairdresser before this 5-1 drubbing. He had the number 50 and a dragon shaved into the back of his head to mark reaching a half-century of international appearances. Yet, after what the manager, John Toshack, agreed was a "nightmare" afternoon for his goalkeeper, it is possible that Jones has played his last match for Wales.
It was hard not to feel sympathy but the brutal truth is that his reactions and spring appear dented by the passage of time. He turns 40 next year and, on Saturday, it showed. Defensive shortcomings caused the first and fifth goals, but Jones's misplaced clearance allowed Marek Mintal to put Slovakia 2-0 ahead and he was then beaten from long range by Mintal and Miroslav Karhan.
"Over careers any goalkeeper makes mistakes," said Jones. "When any other keeper gets in, they will make mistakes. I am going out there to give 100 per cent until I am told I am not in the team."
This was the heaviest home defeat for 98 years, yet the worst indictment was the reaction of some of the Welsh crowd to Jones. As Robert Vittek put Slovakia 5-1 ahead on 59 minutes, hundreds were heading for the exits while many of the remaining fans sarcastically cheered the most routine saves from their goalkeeper. Jones was diplomatic. "They are as frustrated as I am," he said.
Craig Bellamy, who was chosen above Jones to captain Wales in the absence of Ryan Giggs, offered support. "I can make one or two mistakes out there and I'll be very unfortunate if they lead to a goal. If you make a mistake as a goalkeeper, inevitably it's going to cost you a goal."
Toshack has the options of Blackburn's Jason Brown or Ipswich's Lewis Price as replacements and he admitted he did not know whether he would pick Jones again.
This was not just a defeat that has probably ended any hope of Welsh representation at Euro 2008 but the sort of embarrassment that can leave a lingering scar. In mitigation, Wales were handicapped by the absence of three of the four defenders who started the previous qualification match against the Czech Republic and the average age of the back four was only 20.
Toshack must now revive his young squad before Wednesday's visit of Cyprus. Whether a short, sharp shock will prove sufficient is questionable. Wales's problems ran from front to back. Toshack has been speaking with John Hartson who, fitness permitting, could come straight into the team to face Cyprus.
He would provide a much-needed attacking contrast alongside Bellamy, whose partnership with Robert Earnshaw was largely ineffective.
"We don't have a centre forward as such at the moment," said Toshack. "There was no end product whatsoever. Bellamy is very individual in his ideas and approach. He got frustrated. You can't pick up the ball and beat 10 players. Even Roy of the Rovers can't do that," Toshack said.
The one shining light was the 17-year-old left-back Gareth Bale who became Wales's youngest goalscorer with what is becoming a trademark free-kick. "We've got a real player, a real force for the next 14, 15 years," said Bellamy.
