CARDIFF (Reuters) - Wales manager Chris Coleman said he would "let the dust settle" before deciding whether to continue after his side's World Cup qualification hopes ended in a 1-0 defeat by Ireland on Monday. Coleman led Wales to the semi-finals of the 2016 European Championships but his dream of taking the nation to their first World Cup finals since 1958 was crushed in the Cardiff City Stadium. James McClean's second-half goal meant Ireland claimed a playoff spot after they leapfrogged Wales into second place in Group D behind Serbia. It was Wales' first defeat in a World Cup qualifier for 12 games and their first home defeat in a competitive fixture for four years -- a record Coleman said he was proud of. Coleman was generous in his praise for Ireland counterpart Martin O'Neill, whose side produced a textbook away display.

Source: The Star October 09, 2017 22:30 UTC