.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
The above shirt was worn by John Charles in the first of the two leg play-off matches against Israel. In the match played on 15th January in Tel Aviv Wales defeated Israel 2-0. The matches represented the two special World Cup play-off matches against Israel. Wales were originally eliminated from the competition after coming second to Czechoslovakia in their qualifying group but due to the fact that four teams from the Asia-Africa Group withdrew from the competition, they got a second chance. FIFA ruled that no country, other than the holders and hosts could reach the finals stages without playing a match. Consequently, the runners-up from all the other groups were invited to take part in a draw to see who played Israel in a two-match play-off. Wales were drawn and in the first match played on 15th January 1958 at Tel Aviv, Wales won 2-0. In the return match played on 5th February at Ninian Park, Wales once again won 2-0, sending them through to the 1958 World Cup finals.