Wales have been warned to remember their black day of 1993 as they prepare this week for their most important match in almost 50 years.

Ten years ago today, Wales suffered the agony of a Paul Bodin missed penalty in their final qualifier against Romania that robbed them of a place in the 1994 World Cup finals in the United States.

Manchester United star Ryan Giggs, who played in that match, insisted: "That must not be allowed to happen again.

"That was a bitter memory. I do not want to go through that again. And what happened afterwards was that Wales went into decline. We must not allow that to happen again either."

Wales face a Euro 2004 play-off second-leg clash with Russia on Wednesday with three players - Giggs, Gary Speed and Kit Symons - all painfully aware of how crucial the tie at the Millennium Stadium is.

Current Wales coach Mark Hughes was unavailable to play due to suspension and had to watch the agony from the stands.

Giggs, who was at the centre of controversy in the first leg in Moscow after his angry clash with defender Vadim Evseev, added: "These two Russia games are massive for me, for the squad and for Wales. Getting to Portugal means everything."

The dust has only just settled on the Moscow uproar, but television evidence suggests that although Giggs did raise his elbow he made no contact with Evseev's face and only minimal contact with his shoulder. The footage also shows the Russian stayed motionless for some seconds before throwing himself to the floor, an action that infuriated Giggs who tried to pull the player's arm away from his face to prove there had been no contact.

Further bad blood was created by claims of poor sportsmanship by Russia, who would not return the ball to Wales after a hold-up when flares were cleared from the pitch.

Skipper Gary Speed said: "That was all about their frustration. They should have given the ball back to the team who had possession, but they decided against it.

"You do not expect that these days, but in the heat of the battle when people are under pressure they do things like that. Maybe we will remember that on Wednesday."

Hughes made it clear he will not allow his side to get carried away too early before the final job is done.

He said: "We must get very careful that we do not get ahead of ourselves now.

"After Saturday's match the lads were delighted with the level of performance, but everyone knows it is only halfway.

"We have had false dawns before but we do not want any more glorious failures."

Wales have Mark Pembridge back in the squad after missing the trip to Russia with a calf problem but so well did Hughes' side do in the first leg, it seems likely the only selection problem involves Robert Earnshaw.

Hughes can bring in the Cardiff striker and move Speed back to defence to accommodate Pembridge, or leave well alone and send out the same side on Wednesday for a match that has a whole nation on tenterhooks.