Lackluster Play

Despite 15 attempts on goal by the home team in Wednesday's game in Frankfurt, Wales -- pared down by a slough of injuries -- kept Germany scoreless.

The result was a far cry from the teams' last meeting in Cardiff in September, where Germany claimed a 2-0 victory.

"We were weak in the first half and we didn't concentrate 100 percent," admitted star defender Philipp Lahm, who said he could understand why fans booed and whistled as the game came to an undecided close.

Wednesday's match was Germany's last qualifier, but they had already secured their ticket to next year's European Championships in Switzerland and Austria with a 0-0 draw against Ireland last month. Germany is placed second in Group D behind the Czech Republic.

Wales happy despite missing players

Despite only four shots on goal -- including one by Simon Davies' just before half-time that forced goalie Jens Lehmann into a diving save -- the Welsh went away content.

"I am very happy with the result and proud of the team," said coach John Toshack. "We had five players who can still play for the under-21 side and we were without Gareth Bale and Craig Bellamy, so this was a good finish for us."

Rob Earnshaw, who'd just returned after a bout with the flu, was the lone striker up front.

Germany doesn't cash in on opportunities

After weak shots by Germany's Lukas Podolski, Tim Borowski and Mario Gomez in the first half, substitute Simon Rolfes botched an attempt on goal with a header at the beginning of the second half.

"We did everything we could to win the game," said coach Joachim Löw. "We never found our rhythm and made it easy for the Welsh.

"But it is wrong to say we played badly intentionally," continued Löw, responding to rumors that the teams had staged the draw in exchange for a favorable undecided result during next year's championships . "We just had a bad day; we have still had a good qualification campaign."

The stalemate puts Germany into an easier group draw for the finals on Dec. 2, with Romania, Portugal and Spain. The Netherlands will take what could have been Germany's place alongside Austria, Switzerland and Greece.