Wales ( Cymru ) coach Rob Page made a clear admission last night after Wales secured their first point of this years 2022 World Cup. His pre match plans were thrown in to disarray as the USA looked like they would overwhelm not only his plans but the whole group game.
Wales fans gather in Doha pre match
Misplaced passes, a failure to keep ahold of the ball and a defence that looked more than wobbly at times was just the start of Page’s plans going wrong in the first half last night. As he admitted afterwards. "I take responsibility for that," Page said post-match. "Nothing against Daniel James at all. The way they played in the past, I thought we could play through the middle and play beyond their front three when they press. They changed the press”
The only concern based on that declaration by Page was that there was no consideration by the coach to have some form of Plan B if things were not unfolding as he believed. The USA were sharper and quicker in the first half, the ball was breaking for them as Wales looked far from happy at the back. The inevitable goal for the USA came on thirty six minutes, Tim Weah grandson of George stole a yard on the Wales defence and slotted the ball easily into the back of Wayne Hennessy’s net. It was a smartly worked goal, and completely expected. George Weah would be proud at the lightning pace of his grandson. The older Weah played against Swansea City in 1991 in the European Cup Winners Cup for Monaco.
Kieffer Moore coming on for the beleaguered Dan James at half time saw an entire change in the way Wales were to tackle the first half. Despite Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey not performing anywhere near their level it was Neco Williams who started to change events. Moore held the ball up, he was strong and his inter play linking in the midfield started to expose the USA midfield and defence. Moore also nearly scored from a set piece halfway through the half. With things looking far brighter Bale won a penalty for his country which he took himself. His well placed effort drawing the sides level. As much as the USA deserved the first half honours, Wales took the second. Numerous players were out of sorts, not least Joe Rodon who could be best described as sketchy throughout the game. However he did block several attempts on goal in the second half. The next few days are crucial in recovery and the learning that has to be taken from this game. If we are to put our necks on the line we will say now the Iran game which comes up next is really a must win. We believe the USA will beat them, and then it comes down to goal difference from both Wales and the USA’s games against England. That’s crucial.
In summary Wales were slow to get in to the game last night, in hindsight Page is to be congratulated for making the changes he did, especially at half time. Wales could have won this game and then again they could easily have lost it. It should be seen as a point won than two points lost. Neco Williams who had devasting news before the game regards his grandfathers passing disclosed on Twitter. "So I dedicate this game all to him because I know he’s up there watching down on me very proudly. For everyone please cherish you have with loved ones because you never know when it can get taken away from you."
Now there’s the reality of this Qatar World Cup, and nit even Martin Sheen can change that.
Wales: Hennessey; 6 Mepham, 5 Rodon, 5 B Davies; 6 Roberts, 6 Ampadu 7 (Morrell 90+3), Ramsey, 5 Wilson 6 (Thomas 90+1), N Williams 7 (Johnson 79); James 5 (Moore 46),7 Bale (C). 6
Subs not used: Ward, A Davies, Gunter, Allen, Lockyer, J Williams, Harris, Levitt, Cabango, Colwill, Smith.
Goal: Gareth Bale 83
Yellow cards: 🟨 Bale 40, Mepham 47
USA: Turner; Dest (Yedlin 74), Zimmerman, Ream, Robinson (Acosta 74); Adams (C), Musah; Weah (Morris 87), McKennie (Aaronson 66), Pulisic; Sargent (Wright 74).
Subs not used: Horvath, Johnson, Reyna, Ferreira, De La Torre, Long, Roldan, Moore, Carter-Vickers, Scally.
Goal: Tim Weah 36
Yellow cards: 🟨 Dest 11, McKennie 13, Ream 51, Acosta 90+7