DEFIANT Mark Hughes (pictured) is "quietly confident" that his Wales side can push for second place behind Italy in the Euro 2004 qualifying group of death.

The Wales boss remains positive even though the national side were drawn against footballing giants Italy, tough Yugoslavia, an improving Finland side and outsiders Azerbaijan in Group 9.

Soccer critics have said Wales - ranked 100 in the world - and fellow home nation Northern Ireland have no chance in their respective groups but Hughes remains assertive.

He said: "Before the draw was made we knew it was going to be tough and it's no different now.

"It will be a very difficult task qualifying from that group. Italy are obviously the favourites to qualify but I am quietly confident that we can push Yugoslavia and Finland for that second spot for a possible play-off."

Hughes added: "The Italy games immediately leap out at you so hopefully we can fill the Millennium Stadium with that game.

"Yugoslavia have a fantastic record in international football and Finland are improving all the time."

Euro 2000 finalists and three-time World Cup winners Italy are ranked sixth in the world and have superstars like Alessandro Del Piero, Christain Vieri and Francesco Totti. They beat Wales twice on the road to Euro 2000.

Yugoslavia, ranked eleventh, have Fiorentina's Pedrag Mijatovic and Lazio's Dejan Stankovic while Finland, ranked 46th in the world, beat Wales 2-1 in the first football game at the Millennium Stadium, and have Liverpool duo Sami Hyypia and Jari Litmanen and Chelsea's young striker Mikkel Forsell at their disposal.

Azerbaijan, ranked 113th, were the lowest-ranked European team apart from Faroe Islands and San Marino in the draw.

Hughes reckons the experience young players like Tottenham Hotspur's Simon Davies, Newcastle United's Craig Bellamy and Leicester City's Matthew Jones gained during the unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign will "hopefully help them for this campaign."