Bosnia-Herzegovina defeat Wales

Wales' preparations for their World Cup qualification campaign ended on a sobering note with a 2-0 defeat against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Llanelli.

Goals from Vedad Ibisevic and Miroslav Stevanovic gave the visitors, inspired by a terrific performance from Manchester City's Edin Dzeko, a deserved win.

The closest Wales came to a goal was when Joe Allen hit the crossbar in the first half, while Gareth Bale also threatened sporadically, but it was a dispiriting night for the hosts.

Manager Chris Coleman, still searching for a first win in charge, had highlighted this as a key fixture with qualification fixtures looming on the horizon. But the former Fulham boss will know there is plenty of work to be done before Belgium visit Cardiff in the Group A opener in little over three weeks.

Wales should have trailed inside 40 seconds as Ashley Williams stepped on the ball to allow Dzeko in, but Boaz Myhill tipped the striker's rising shot away and Darcy Blake completed the clearance.

After a nervy start Wales found their feet. New Liverpool signing Allen saw his ball across the six-yard box diverted wide by Miralem Pjanic, before his shot from Williams' lay off was brilliantly tipped on to the bar by Stoke's Asmir Begovic.

It was Bosnia's turn to be denied by the woodwork after 16 minutes when defender Boris Pandza thundered a header against the underside of the bar. But there was no reprieve for Wales four minutes later as Stevanovic punished Neil Taylor's defensive lapse to tee-up Stuttgart's Ibisevic for an easy finish.

Ibisevic should have doubled his tally after 27 minutes when the superb Pjanic dispossessed Aaron Ramsey in midfield and fed the striker. He skipped past Blake, only to send his shot narrowly wide with Myhill beaten.

Bale, who the home side were struggling to get involved in the game, then threatened with superb control and an attempted volley from a raking Williams pass, but Begovic was equal to it. He had to be alert to keep out the Tottenham winger's header from Taylor's cross moments later as Wales finally found some attacking thrust.

Wales needed a strong start to the second half, but they continued to struggle with Bosnia's lively movement and fell further behind in the 54th minute. Chris Gunter gifted Dzeko the ball with a weak header and the visitors swiftly worked it right to give Stevanovic the freedom of the Wales penalty area to fire across Myhill.