The atmosphere in Baku for the second group game for Wales wasn’t as expected or predicted. An estimated 32,000 crowd didn’t exactly cram itself in to the Olympic stadium, it was pleasingly half full though with around 500 Wales followers in the corner of the ground. The Turks hardly got going, and those 500 voices boomed out across the stadium.
Okay, you could say Rodon, Roberts & Davies, add James and Allen to the mix for our headline today, but it doesn’t have the ring about it, well, not in this context. We will stick with Ramsey, Moore and Wilson and leave you to work it out.
Wales were far more mobile in this second game, albeit Robert Page picked the same starting eleven they looked more fluid and confident from the off. Bale was more involved and Ramsey was finding himself in space playing just off his markers shoulder. On two occasions Ramsey could have opened the scoring, his experience in timing his runs were causing absolute panic in the Turkish defence. Yokuslu found Ramsey especially difficult to mark and was substituted at half time. By that time Wales were one up after a sublime run and finish from Ramsey complementing a wonderful pass from Bale. A questionable decision to not give Wales a penalty for handball prior to the Ramsey goal raised eyebrows - taking into consideration the one given against Wales in the recent France friendly.
Turkey offered possession and some guile as the half moved on, they edged closer to Danny Ward’s goal on numerous occasions, especially from set pieces, but their finishing let them down. With Dan James running matters on the left flank, and an inspired Andy Morrell in midfield Wales looked the more dangerous throughout the first forty five. The much maligned Chris Mepham was on top form alongside Joe Rodon, both securing the back four cleverly, to be honest Wales looked settled and unconcerned. They were rarely alarmed and Roberts added food for thought to the Turkish defence on the right of the pitch, things just seemed to be ticking over just dandy. The real concern at half time would have been the failure to take chances, when stock is taken of the opening half Wales really should have been three up.
The second half was more intense, Turkey had obviously had a few fireworks thrown at them at half time, but for all their bluster Danny Ward only had one real save to pull off in the second phase. It was Wales who continued to press with James and the hard working Moore having possibly the best games they have played for Wales. Bale had trickery, we can see he has lost a bit of pace, but he was brought down in the area for a golden opportunity to make it two. Ashley Williams commented " I’ve never seen him do that before, he always scores, I’m stunned” as Bale’s spot kick went very high in what he would honestly say was the worst penalty he has ever taken. His run up didn’t look right, stuttering ala Andre Ayew but sadly without the finish. Moments later Bale charged down a back pass to keeper Cakir, he got the deflection off the keeper, only to see it go agonisingly the wrong side of the post.
Instead of sitting back Wales went looking for a second goal, the penalty never seemed to bother them at all. James again with his pace, Ramsey had a deflected shot well saved, Moore could have reacted far quicker for a tap in. Bale with his skullduggery at corners, in to the last ten minutes especially. Protecting the ball and winding down the clock. Then, in a flash of brilliance it paid off with a Conner Roberts goal right at the death. Leaving Turkeys defence behind him from another corner he measured a pass to Conner Roberts, and the game was over. It was a deserved result, a proud result that gave an insight in to the squads togetherness and unity. We move on to Rome on Sunday, anything can happen, but if Wales avoid defeat it’s a guaranteed last sixteen qualification. Even as they stand a five goal deficit has to be turned round by Switzerland against Turkey in their final game. That in itself is hardly possible, but looking at the Italians a few hours after Wales victory in Baku, they are on fire and will take some stopping in this tournament. It’s in Wales hands going in to the last game, that’s all we asked.
Turkey: Cakir; Celik, Soyuncu, Yokuslu (Demiral 45), Tufan (Yasici 45), Under (Kahveci 83), Karaman (Dervisoglu 75), Calhanoglu, Meras (Muldur 72), Yilmaz (c), Ayhan
Subs: Gunok, Bayindir, Tokox, Antalyali, Kabak, Kokcu,
Wales: Ward; C Roberts, Mepham, Rodon, B Davies; Allen (Ampadu 74), Morrell; Bale (C), Ramsey (Wilson 84), James (N. Williams 90+6; Moore.
Subs: Hennessey, A.Davies, Gunter, Lockyer, T.Roberts,, Norrington-Davies, J.Williams, Brooks, Levitt
The red wall moves in to Rome for Sunday’s last group game.