Wales got the result they wanted in Riga as a 2-0 win and three points were the reward for an unnecessary hard nights work against Latvia.
David Brooks sealed the win for Cymru with lovely finish in added time after a night of endeavour and poor last balls that could have put the visitors out of sight by half time. Aaron Ramsey put Wales ahead on twenty eight minutes after a poor challenge on Harry Wilson in the home sides penalty area. Ramsey calmly slotted his spot kick away giving the travelling red wall reward for their overwhelming support in every stand of the ground.
Rob Page the Welsh manager found himself under extreme pressure before the game, and some may well say after last nights performance there is still a huge question mark over his tenure. Latvia employed strong arm tactics throughout the game but it resulted in a string of yellow cards and little threat overall for Wales. If there’s a criticism of Page’s players it will be the lack of confidence in Danny Ward in the first half when he rode his luck on several occasions with crosses flashing across his goal.
The real issue with twenty seven shots at goal is the finishing. Brennan Johnson couldn’t find his shooting boots with a more lethal strikers on the bench in Liam Cullen and Rabbi Matondo ignored by the Wales manager. Even Nathan Broadhead found himself unplayed with goals definitely at a premium. For all the criticism that Page will no doubt receive despite the three points the defence stood strong in the second half as first ex Swans Joe Rodon and then Connor Roberts defended bravely from swirling crosses. However, it has to be said, Latvia are no European power.
Far bigger tests will come against Croatia at home and then Armenia away before Turkey decide Wales destiny in the third week of November. On this showing and indeed on the displays over the past sixteen months Wales won’t qualify for the championships in Germany next summer. There is a get out though through the Nations League, but that’s a big IF even in Rob Page’s diary.
It was merely satisfactory in Riga, and that second goal most certainly papers an over many cracks.
Latvia : Ozols; Savalnieks, Dubra, Cernomordijs, Ciganiks; Emsis, Tobers (C); Jaunzems (Daskevics 85), Krollis, J. Ikaunieks; Uldrikis (Regza 85).
Subs: Purins, Zviedris, Sorokins, M. Oss, D. Ikaunieks, Iljins, Tonisevs, Zelenkovs, Balodis, Saveljevs
Wales : Ward; 6 Mepham, 5 Rodon, 6 Davies; 5 Roberts, 6 Ampadu, 6 J. James, 6 Williams; 5 Ramsey (C) 6 (Brooks 49), 6 Wilson; 7 Johnson 5 (Bradshaw 87)
Subs: A. Davies, T King, Fox, Matondo, Cabango, Cullen, Sheehan, Broadhead.
Attendance: 6,500
4,600 away.