Bodin's Left Boot

In doing so, the Welsh boss also crucially silenced those misguided critics whose OTT sensationlist, knee-jerking reaction to Saturday's freakish drubbing at the hands of Slovakia saw the sorts of media commentary that the words 'rabid' and 'stupid' were made for.

Deciding against wholesale changes, persevering instead with his favoured 5-3-2 formation, Tosh's young guns ripped apart a poor Cypriot team with a sparkling show of irresistable attacking football.

The only tinkering came at the back, where Ipswich keeper Lewis Price replaced Paul Jones in goals (the veteran now surely having called time on his international career after his error strewn showing) and the ineffectual Rob Edwards made way for MK Dons centre-half Craig Morgan. The young former under-21 defender making his international debut.

Wales started as if hell bent on immediately exorcising the ghosts of Slovakia, with Bellamy and Earnshaw pulling the Cyprus defence apart with some searing runs. Both livewire strikers playing on the shoulder of their defenders and leaving their terrorised markers left for dead thanks to some fantastic through balls from Jason Koumas and Simon Davies.

In the first minute Bellamy broke clear of the back four and homing in on goal, he was cynically brought down by the Cyprus goalkeeper. Incredibly, much to the astonishment of Bellamy and the home crowd, the referee waved play on. At any other time it would surely have been a red card, but as it happened just over a minute into the game, you get the feeling the ref bottled it.

When the first goal finally arrived, after Wales had hit the post twice, it underlined Toshack's maxim of playing pass and move football - but this time with an end product. Koumas set Davies free on the right, the Everton star brilliantly skinned his man and sent the ball over for an on-rushing Koumas to head Wales into the lead.

Toshack had revealed this morning that he sat Robert Earnshaw down and read him the riot act over his wholly ineffectual performance against Slovakia. The dressing down evidently worked, with Earnie and Bellamy looking more of a partnership than at any other time they have lined up together.

Who said the two height restricted strikers couldn't play together. The dynamic duo caused havoc all night long. Wales' second coming from great play from Bellamy as he broke free, tying his his marker in knots and placing a pin point ball at the feet of Earnie who steered the ball gratefully into the net.

Cue Earnie's trademark somersault, as he answered Toshack's criticisms of his below par showing against the Slovaks.

Bellamy got his reward for a performance full of passion and strength of character to net his first goal for what seemed an age. The sense of relief was palpable as the Liverpool hit man grabbed Wales' third with a neatly place pitch shot, the captain being mobbed by celebrating team mates.

Cyprus did snatch a consolation goal - an exquisite finish from their striker Okkas, but by then the damage had been done and Wales had laid Saturday's debacle to rest.

In truth, Wales could have won by a cricket score such was their dominance and sheer volume of chances created.

Davies, Koumas and Bellamy were the undoubted stars of the show - with a rejuvenated Davies my man-of-the-match, but Gareth Bale again shone like the star he will surely become. He was a willing worker down the left getting forward at breakneck speed, tackling back as consumately as he burst forward, and performing with a maturity and a skill level way beyond his years.

Honorouable mention also to debutant Craig Morgan. Depsite turning out for MK Dons in League Two, the former Wrexham favourite stood strong and tall, nullifying the aerial threat of Cyprus' leading goalscorer Michael Constantinou.

Toshack called it spot on with Morgan's inclusion figuring Wales needed some strength and presence at the back to complement the more cultured skills of Gabbidon and Nyatanga. Morgan certainly gave Wales the sort of steely edge James Collins usually brings to the backline.

Lewis Price too gave a faultless performance and the Ipswich youngster must now be given the nod to claim the keeper's shirt ahead of Jason Brown and Danny Coyne.

The biggest negative of the evening was the yellow card Jason Koumas picked up. After receiving a yellow against Slovakia, he will now miss the Republic Of Ireland clash in March and will be a huge loss to Toshack's midfield.

So fast forward to Dublin's massive 80,000 capacity Croke Park and its debut as a football stadium with what is sure to be a hugely exciting 'local' derby.

Friendlies against Lichtenstein in Wrexham next month and against Northern Ireland next February will provide the warm-ups to the Irish showdown. As with everything Welsh football-wise there are bound to be a few unpredictable twists and turns on the way.

When it comes to supporting Wales nothing is straightforward!