WEARING that famous red dragon on your chest in a major championship is every Welsh football player's dream.

And that fantasy could become a reality as last night Wales finally secured a play-off place for a chance of competing with football's elite at the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal.

But if Mark Hughes' men harbour any hopes of a trip to the Algarve next summer they had better buck their ideas up - and soon.

Wales achieved almost uncharted heights as they swept all before them to the summit of Group Nine after four consecutive victories. But the Welsh have suffered back-to-back defeats in Serbia and Montenegro and Italy.

And at the Millennium Stadium last night against Finland, Hughes' weary warriors lacked the kind of drive that has become so commonplace under his stewardship.

Their job was not helped in anyway by Jason Koumas' sending-off in the 64th minute for a second bookable offence.

And sure, Wales were a depleted force but regular stars who have excelled in this campaign looked off the pace, sluggish and lacklustre.

A win, though, in Cardiff would have meant them leap-frogging group leaders Italy, a point ahead of Wales at kick-off, who drew 1-1 in Serbia last night. Opportunity knocked for Wales.

It wasn't to be. In truth, Hughes' boys have stumbled even to cement a play-off position.

But Wales will need to up the ante and take an emergency overdose against Serbia, when they visit Cardiff next month, so they prepare for November's two-legged play-off on a high.

Poor Finnish finishing and a huge slice of Welsh luck helped the hosts to a 1-1 draw. A quality outfit would have knocked Wales for six - at least.

However, the scary proposition is what nation could await Wales in that play-off. Spain, Holland, England and Turkey to name but a few.

In fairness to Hughes, Wales should have all their big guns for any play-off.

Describing last night Welsh side as patched-up is an understatement of the highest order.

Striker Craig Bellamy, midfielder Robbie Savage and right-back Mark Delaney were all banned while Danny Gabbidon and Rob Edwards nursed injuries.

On the field, it was almost as sorry a state. Striker John Hartson and centre-back Andy Melville are still returning to match-fitness, the latter playing his first game for four months yesterday. Midfield workhorse Mark Pembridge hadn't trained for four days after suffering a foot knock.

For Wales to be a force, they need all their top players fit and performing at the peak of their game. Otherwise, we can forget qualifying for major tournaments.

Anyway, with his personnel problems in mind, Hughes might have taken last night's point and ran gladly. And fixing that play-off berth was a great achievement for a small squad like Wales, and that fact should not be forgotten.

Wales have had their fair share of hard-luck stories over the years, too many to mention in fact, so perhaps they deserved two big chucks of first-half luck against the Finns - and they both involved a hand.

Only three minutes had elapsed when Simon Davies controlled Hartson's flick with his arm before toe-poking it past Finland keeper Antti Niemi as late-arriving home fans missed the only pleasurable moment of the game for them.

Tottenham man Davies half stopped, expecting Spanish referee Arturo Ibanez to haul the play back, but the officials didn't see the handball and the goal stood.

The Welsh then sat back and took a deep defensive line and allowed their talented guest to showcase their talents. Not quite the pre-match plan Hughes had intended.

The Finns were looking menacing. Wales' defence looked shaky. Welsh fans had their hearts in their mouths.

Then on the half-hour it was the other handy moment as Mika Nurmela's 20-yard free-kick cracked Koumas on the hand in the penalty area but again the officials, just as well, saw nothing. Wales were really riding their luck.

Paul Jones in the Wales goal made some first-class saves but could no nothing when Mikael Forsell, the Chelsea striker on loan at Birmingham City, ran free in the box to head Joonas Kolkka's cross into the corner of the net with ten minutes remaining.

Wales still have a glimmer of hope of automatic qualification, but the likelihood of current leaders Italy losing at home to Azerbaijan and Wales beating Serbia on October 11 is extremely slim.

A play-off place, remember, is a phenomenal achievement.