The team's performance was disappointing, finishing fifth in the group with expected defeat at home to Germany yet an unexpected draw away, a loss away and a goalless draw at home to the Czech Republic, a loss away and 2-2 draw at home to the Republic of Ireland, a 3-0 home win and uninspiring 2-1 away win against minnows San Marino, a 3-1 home win and 3-1 away defeat against Cyprus, and a spectacularly mixed performance against Slovakia, losing 5-1 at home and winning 5-2 away. Wales under-21 coach Brian Flynn took over from Toshack as caretaker manager with a view to a possible permanent appointment, but a 1-0 home defeat to Bulgaria and 4-1 away loss to Switzerland prompted the FAW to pass over Flynn. In the 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the Wales team - managed by Mike England - came extremely close to qualification; a 3-0 defeat against the Soviet Union in their final match meant they missed out on goal difference, but the real damage had been done by their failure to beat Iceland in their last home match, the match eventually finishing 2-2 after several hold-ups due to floodlight failures.