Wales take on the Korean Republic this evening ( kick off 7.45pm ) in a friendly that the visitors are most certainly not taking lightly. New head coach Jürgen Klinsmann is looking for his first win and although his position as manager isn’t under immediate threat, he needs a win.
Son Heung-Min (below) will now play and Wales manager Rob Page has a player in the Spurs man as someone who can turn a game at any given moment, he has turned to Son’s team mate Ben Davies for assistance in nullifying the threat he poses. "We've had a couple of meetings with Ben," he said. "Nobody knows him better than Ben Davies. Joe Rodon obviously knows him as well. He's a wonderful player. He's world-class. So we know we're up against tough opposition. But it's going to be an opportunity to put right our defensive shape, and we'll need it."
Page also has new Spurs signing Brennan Johnson in his squad and the ex Forest player is another who has an eye for goal, and can win the game for Wales. Son knows all about Johnson, "I think that by coming to Spurs Johnson wants to improve and go to the next step. He will feel the pressure as well but I can't wait to have him in our team, playing even better football, better attacking, better fast football, but I think everyone has to take that responsibility”
Klinsmann isn’t underestimating the home side for one minute. "We've done our homework, we're not underestimating the Welsh team for a second, but we will try to play to our strengths. We have a couple of talented players with us and it's a good opportunity for us. I'm convinced we'll show you some good quality of football”
It’s clear that Page doesn’t really want this game on his schedule, and the Welsh public haven’t reacted that well to it either. With only around twelve thousand tickets sold it has the air of games long gone by that we’re often not that well attended. The last home friendly was against the Czech Republic in March 2022, the crowd was around 12,500. The last ten friendlies at the Cardiff City Stadium have had an average crowd of less than 15,000. Proof if it were ever needed the game should be taken to other parts of Wales. It may be a stronghold for qualifiers, boosted in the main from support from outside of Cardiff, but it most certainly isn’t when there is little riding on the fixture.
On the game Page has said, "The most important game is Monday. We've already a plan in place for the minutes players have had at the start of the season. Who needs more minutes ? How we can protect them ? It's about getting players off the pitch unscathed and then preparing ready for the big game on Monday." On his captain Aaron Ramsey he said, "Again it's about looking at the amount of minutes Aaron's played. That one takes care of itself. He's played the most football he's played for a long time. So I think that's an obvious one. " With regards to Brennan, I was at Man United last week and thought he was outstanding. He played an hour and came off with a little knock. He's not played over the weekend because of the move. So there will be minutes he'll get that will be factored into all about Monday."
Whatever team Page picks, and whatever the result there won’t be too many remembering this game if Latvia away on Monday night is another defeat. And if that’s the case surely the FAW have to move quickly to either make a decision to publicly back him, or as many are now saying, remove him from his post.
Wales take on the Korea Republic, kick off 7.45pm tonight in Cardiff. You can watch the game LIVE on S4C and BBC iplayer. Via Play also will be covering the game. Radio commentary will be provided by BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. Highlights will be shown on Match of The Day Wales and BBC One Wales from 10.40pm UK time