Well, Wales won the match that counted I suppose, but, that apart, this was as poor an international break as we’ve had under Craig Bellamy when you take into account the results at age group levels.
I’ve heard it said that early September international fixtures are the hardest ones for British countries to deal with because the season is still very much in its infancy and players are still striving for full fitness. Based on how the senior team played on Thursday in their fortunate 1-0 win over Kazakhstan and tonight’s loss by the same score to Canada in a friendly game, it seems there might be something to that.
Wales didn’t have the energy and dynamism we’ve come to expect from a Bellamy team in either match and I’d say the overriding lesson learned from the last week or so is that Ethan Ampadu is a huge miss from a Welsh midfield which spluttered it’s way through the two games without him..
After the struggles of Josh Sheehan and Liam Cullen on Thursday, Jordan James and Charlie Crew started tonight – James did not do badly, but looked like someone who was easing his way into match fitness after not playing too often so far this season. As for Crew, I’d say his second international was a lot better than his first one – Crew struggled in the awful 0-0 against Gibraltar almost eighteen months ago, but did not let anyone down here.
However, despite two individual displays which I thought were an improvement on what we saw in Kazakhstan, the midfield struggled to impose itself on the game.
Elsewhere, Ronan Kpakio became the second Cardiff City teenager to make a full international debut during this round of games, but, unlike Dylan Lawlor, he had a testing evening as he seemed to be targeted by the Canadians as he struggled to retain possession. Kpakio probably should have conceded a penalty early on as he challenged for a ball in the box and the Canadian winger went down. Referee Rob Jones, who was not very good all night, signalled that Kpakio had played the ball, but the first replay of the incident showed that this was definitely not the case – any contact on his opponent from Kpakio was pretty slight and did not warrant the dramatic fall from the Canadian, but I reckon VAR would have awarded the penalty.
I thought Canada were niggly, physical and cynical – a hard team to like, but you couldn’t begrudge them their win as they hit the woodwork twice before scoring the game’s only goal just past the half an hour mark from a fine free kick from around twenty five yards by Rangers’ Derek Cornelius.
Wales had their attacking moments such as when Dan James was put through only to fire straight at keeper St.Clair, David Brooks surprisingly came up with an air shot when he swung a leg at a cross when completely unmarked fifteen yards out and a Mark Harris overhead kick was cleared off the line in the second half, but, generally speaking, the Canadians controlled things and, in truth, 2-0 would have been a better reflection of their superiority.
Joel Colwill and Coventry’s Kai Andrews made their debuts when they were introduced in the second half – neither were terrible by any means, but, by then, the match had reached that stage that most friendly internationals end up in whereby multiple substitutions tend to lead to a drop off in intensity.
Earlier today, Wales’ Under 19s faced Belgium in the second of two friendly matches between the countries- the first one was an entertaining 2-2 draw, but the visitors were in control throughout today and came out on top by 3-1.
Mannie Barton was the only City player to start for the under 19s, but there were three starters for the under 21 side which took on Denmark at Rodney Parade last night. Tanatswa Nyakuhwa was paired with Luey Giles on the left, while Cian Ashford began on the right wing.
There was a sensational start as Giles sent Nyakuhwa through and, helped by sone dodgy positioning by the keeper, he fired in from twenty five yards to put Wales in front within thirty seconds. Around the half hour mark, a lovely turn followed by a superb through ball from Nyakuhwa which put Chris Popov, also once of Cardiff City, through and he finished admirably to make it 2-0.
After that, it all went downhill very quickly for Wales. Denmark got one back before half time and t]hen scored five unanswered goals in the second half as Wales were overrun.
Nyakuhwa looked out on his feet after half time and, consequently, Giles was having to cope by himself much of the time. Not surprisingly, he struggled, but it was the same for the whole Welsh defence. As for Ashford, I thought he was one of the best players in a disappointing Welsh team – Denmark are a good side at this level, but we were much more competitive against them last time around in Euros qualifying as we drew away and only lost narrowly at home, that second half was embarrassing last night though.