It was mission accomplished for manager Mark Hughes as Wales came out of World Cup 2006 Group Six fixtures discussions with their gameplan intact.

Wales have managed to avoid facing the group's big two, England and Poland, in the opening two fixtures and also in their final two games.

Hughes admitted the Giggs factor (he will be unavailable for the first two qualifiers after his suspension for improper conduct) was a vital factor in thrashing out the fixtures.

They will now open up with Azerbaijan away on September 4, followed by Northern Ireland at the Millennium Stadium four days later.

Wales will travel to England on October 9, with Old Trafford the likely venue, as part of a tough double header with Poland to follow in Warsaw four days later.

He said: "We wanted to face the weaker sides in the group in the initial games because of Ryan (Giggs) missing through suspension and we was important for us.

"In fact, possibly the first five fixture were the ones that we wanted opponents -wise, not necessarily venue -wise.

"But it was a good meeting. It is always important to come to a conclusion rather than put it to FIFA because then you face a real possibility of playing games in June which is a real issue for not only ourselves but also Northern Ireland and England.

Overall, we are reasonably happy."

Football Association of Wales Secretary General David Collins, who chaired the meeting was also a contented man.

He said: "It was really close to our original gameplan give or take two or three fixtures changed to facilitate the other nations.

"It was a good discussion and in the end nobody wanted it to go to FIFA. It was difficult but it has worked out according to our plan.

England's FA executive director David Davies who also in a happy mood after the protracted discussions, despite England opening up with two away fixtures, against Austria and Poland respectively

He said: "You have to balance these things out. Although we may not have expected two away games to begin with we certainly did not expect two home games to finish.

"We were not keen on playing in June, an opinion shared with Wales and to that we are pleased, and that the balance has been achieved."

Davies admitted that the visit to the Millennium Stadium will be a highlight of the qualifiers.

"The players will know that it is a wonderful experience and a wonderful atmosphere, especially with the roof on.

"I think it is a great international stadium.

Davies joked: "We would have loved to have faced Wales without Ryan Giggs but there was no way in hell they would agree to it!"