Wales defender Taylor dismissed for horror foul in Dublin (Reuters)

Wales face a tough task to qualify directly for the World Cup after sharing a goalless draw with Ireland in a game overshadowed by the sending off of Neil Taylor for a horrendous foul on Seamus Coleman at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on Friday. The Everton fullback left the field on a stretcher, with an oxygen mask on his face, after Taylor clattered into him with a wild challenge on 68 minutes of the Group D qualifier. It came two minutes after Wales talisman Gareth Bale was booked for a foul on John O'Shea.