FROM Russia with hope.

European Championship finals 2004 mission status: objective one complete.

Mark Hughes' secret agents secured one of Welsh football's most historic results here in sub-zero Moscow on Saturday, holding their Russian counterparts to a 0-0 stalemate in play-off part one.

And stopping Russia's four-year 100 per cent home record is an achievement not to be underestimated. But chief Hughes is under no illusions that the overall play-off task is far from captured.

As the famous James Bond theme tune echoed around The Lokomotiv Stadium, Hughes jotted the final finishing touches to his carefully drawn-up battle plan. And even 007 himself would have been impressed with the honour and dignity in which Hughes' deputies took to their opening play-off assignment.

There may not be a sexy Bond girl on completion of this project of national importance, but a lucrative Euro 2004 finals berth should be more of an incentive!

Hughes, perhaps leaking a bit too much pre-match information to Russian coach Georgi Yartsev, warned his opposite number to underestimate Wales at his peril.

And, it seems, that is just what Russia did.

And even with numbers dwindling, injury-plagued Wales showed why they demand the utmost respect.

And it was Hughes' top-secret men who earned the highest applause from Saturday's showdown.

Andy Johnson was called to arms in the vital midfield as Simon Davies and Mark Pembridge were left at home due to injuries. The long-haired terrier was superb, a credit to his profession.

Alongside skipper Gary Speed and Robbie Savage, the trio snuffed out, broke down and worked hard to form an unbreakable barrier in front of the Welsh defence.

Hughes knew that area in the middle was where the game could be won or lost. And thanks to blood, sweat and toil, his selection process proved why Hughes is highly admired in the Premiership.

To stifle the attacking guile of Alexander Mostovoi and Dmitry Alenichev, whose respective creative genius unlocks doors for Celta Vigo and Porto, was some accomplishment.

And to be told Mostovoi and goalkeeper Sergey Ovchinnikov are suspended for Wednesday's return leg in Cardiff after their yellow cards here must be music to Hughes' ears.

Ovchinnikov was hardly called into action. Hughes will not mind that one bit, though. He'll be more thankful that his own No 1 didn't have a great deal of work to do.

And when Paul Jones was required, he produced. Alexei Smertin and Dmitri Bulykin stung his hands, but a point-blank block from Dmitry Loskov's technically perfect volley is the main reason why Wales are on the verge of something special.

Hughes' emphasis on Wednesday will surely be on attack - and if he lets Ryan Giggs, Jason Koumas and Rob Earnshaw (an unused sub on Saturday) off the leash, then Russia's pedestrian back line could be run ragged.

Koumas, in particular, was outstanding in Moscow. His ability to keep the ball when under pressure, as well as skipping past tackles, could be Hughes' best weapon at the Millennium Stadium.

Giggs is Giggs. His quality is undoubted, his flare a defender's nightmare. The Russians tried every trick in their locker to upset Giggs, but he was experienced enough not to bite. In fact, their behaviour will lend him and his colleagues extra fire in Cardiff.

Darren Barnard and Mark Delaney were excellent, the latter's ability to spot immediate clear and present danger is another reason why Portugal 2004 brochures are flying off the travel agents' shelves.

Ukraine in autumn 1999 were the last team to hold Russia on their own chilly homeland, Wales' ability to attain that feat could reap the ultimate reward.

Hughes' class of 2003 are on the verge of becoming honoured as national heroes. Becoming a zero, though, is still not out of the equation.