WALES’ next game in the World Cup qualifiers aren’t getting any easier as they take on group leaders Czech Republic TONIGHT.
Gareth Bale & Co. lost their first clash of the qualifying phase 3-1 with Belgium and will be hoping to bounce back.
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- TV / live stream: Sky Sports Main Event, S4C
- Wales XI: Ward; Mepham, Rodon,J Lawrence; C Roberts, Morrell, Ampadu, N Williams; Bale, Wilson, James
- Czech Republic XI: Vaclik; Coufal, Celustka, Kudela, Boril; Holes, Soucek; Provod, Darida, Jankto; Schick
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THAT’S ALL FROM CARDIFF
It’s been a night of drama and celebration in South Wales – all that was missing was the home crowd that would have so loved this.
The Welsh were not at their best but remained resolute throughout, and finally won through thanks to the first headed goal of Dan James’ career.
If that goal had the Red Wall roaring from their living rooms, so too did Joe Rodon’s heroic block deep into stoppage time that denied the Czech Republic the latest of equalisers.
We’re off to catch our breath, but why not relive the exhilarating action with our match report of another 1-0 Wales win.
Thanks for reading, and goodnight.
PROUD PAGE
Wales’ caretaker coach Rob Page has praised his players for digging in and earning themselves all three points despite being second best for long periods against the Czech Republic.
We’re disappointed about aspects of the performance, but it’s a win – and that’s what we’ve done in recent times, found a way to win. We knew we were in for a battle and it didn’t disappoint. The goal was a bit of a throwback with the left-winger crossing it and the other winger attacking it at the far post. After their sending off, we wanted to get another centre-forward on and went with a back four. Then Connor [Roberts] gets sent off and we’ve had to make changes again. It was a team performance, it was a squad performance, and I’m really proud of them.
Rob Page
HOW IT STANDS
Elsewhere in Group E, Belgium have hit Belarus for eight to leave the world’s number one team top of the pile.
However, that huge win for Wales here in Cardiff has moved them a point behind the Czech Republic with a vital game in hand.
DRAGONS DEFENCE FIRING
With the likes of Joe Rodon and James Lawrence putting their bodies on the line for their country this evening, it’s easy to understand why Wales are clocking up the clean sheets.
BALE THE CREATOR
Gareth Bale may the top scorer in the history of the Wales national team, but the goal getter has turned provider in recent games.
His cross tonight for Dan James’ header was his fourth assist in as many internationals.
HEADS DAN WINS
Dan James was the matchwinner, and the Manchester United man has been speaking after the game about the importance of this win, and about the first headed goal of his career.
It’s a massive result, especially after the loss in the first game. [Gareth Bale] is looking for the cross, and at first, I didn’t think he was going to cross it because he can’t see Kieffer [Moore] in the box. In the last four or five games at club level, I’ve had headers that I’ve been disappointed with, but thankfully this went in.
Dan James
FULL TIME STATS
Wales were probably second best for most of this contest, but came out on top for those crucial moments in both boxes.
THE ROD WALL
Dan James was the hero at one end. At the other, it was Joe Rodon, who denied Ondrej Celustka at the death with a sensational block.
FT: WALES 1-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
Wales are up and running in Group E courtesy of Dan James’ late header. The Manchester United forward expertly converted Gareth Bale’s cross to earn Rob Page’s men a crucial three points, just minutes after Wales had been reduced to ten men due to Connor Roberts’ sending off. The Czech Republic had a man of their own sent off earlier in the half when Patrik Schick saw red following a tussle with Roberts.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
IT’S ALL OVER AND WALES HAVE WON IT!WALES 1-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
90+2. What a block from Rodon!
The Czechs work a throw-in into a packed penalty area, where the ball falls to Celustka ten yards from goal.
It’s point blank range for the Czech Republic defender as he powers his shot goalwards, but there – out of nowhere – is Rodon to dive in and deflect over.
It’s celebrated by the Wales players as if they had qualified for the World Cup.
WALES 1-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
90. Four minutes of stoppage time are signalled.
Wales are almost there.
WALES 1-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
87. The Czech Republic go for broke with two more changes that include the arrival of Burnley striker Matej Vydra. Also on is Antonin Barak as Vladimir Coufal and Ondrej Kudela depart. Good riddance to the latter.
WALES 1-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
86. Kieffer Moore gets on the end of James Lawrence cross, but puts his shot wide.
The presence of the Cardiff striker up top has certainly added another dimension to Wales’ play.
WALES 1-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
84. The Czechs respond to falling behind by making a double change. Pavel Kaderebek replaces Lukas Provod as Lukas Masopust comes on for Jakub Jankto.
WALES 1-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
82. A brilliant goal! A simple goal! A crucial goal!
Gareth Bale makes half a yard for himself on the left wing, and whips a beautiful cross into the six-yard box.
Daniel James isn’t renowned for his heading ability, but gets up well and executes a superb downward header back across and into the corner. Tomas Vaclik had no chance!
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!
DANIEL JAMES BREAKS THE DEADLOCK!!WALES 0-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
79. A chance for Dan James to make himself a hero…
…but he’s brilliantly denied by Tomas Vaclik!
The Wales forward had beaten the offside trap to move in on goal, but couldn’t get around the goalkeeper.
WALES 0-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
77. It’s ten-a-side now as Connor Roberts sees red!
The Swansea man is off for two bookable offences, the second of which saw him cautioned for catching Soucek with a leading arm.
RED CARD!!
CONNOR ROBERTS IS DISMISSED AND IT’S TEN AGAINST TEN!!WALES 0-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
75. As we approach the final quarter of an hour, it’s the ten men of the Czech Republic who look the more likely to nick a goal if one is to come.
Rob Page knows that, and is preparing to make another change to switch the game back in Wales’ favour.
WALES 0-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
73. James tracks all the way back to his own six-yard box, and keeps Coufal under wraps by taking a cross off his toes.
The Wales forward read the game extremely well there.
WALES 0-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
69. A dipper from Darida!
The Czech Republic midfielder demonstrates lovely technique as a bouncing ball sits up nicely for him outside of the box, but his effort flies a yard over the crossbar.
WALES 0-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
67. Coufal shows he can do the defensive aspects required of a modern day full-back as well as the attacking elements.
He stands up brilliantly to James’ run, and wins the ball back off the Manchester United forward.
WALES 0-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
65. James is in on goal but is denied by both the dive of Vaclik and the flag of the linesman.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
