Tomorrow see’s what is surely to be the catalyst for this years Wales football outlook and for Rob Page’s immediate future. Already the Red Wall in some quarters are calling for a new broom, and one that sweeps away the current coaching set up with an eye on World Cup qualifying for 2026. ( USA, Canada & Mexico )
The world stage is a cruel mistress when it comes to expectation, and as we saw in Qatar defeat and failure exposes all manner of frailties that only global failure can highlight. Wales manager Rob Page found himself in a glaring spotlight, his coaching ability scrutinised and cast aside. The fact he still remains as Wales head coach is for some a chance too many. However come Sunday night post match a victory will buy him some extra time as the country expects qualification for Germany 2024.
A play off in March isn’t on the agenda surely ?
The FAW see the fixture like this : Cymru and Croatia will meet for the eighth time when the two nations come together in Cardiff on Sunday evening, but while Cymru are still searching for their first victory in a fixture that first took place back in August 2002, the points have been shared in the last two games.
That first meeting took place in Varaždin as a late equaliser from Mladen Petrić earned Croatia a point after Simon Davies had put Cymru ahead in a friendly. The two sides then met in Osijek in another friendly in May 2010 in Osijek, but goals from Ivan Rakitić and Drago Gabric resulted in a 2-0 defeat for John Toshack’s side. The first competitive match between Cymru and Croatia was during 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying as Chris Coleman’s side were defeated 2-0 in Osijek by goals from Mario Mandžukić and Eduardo either side of half-time. The return match in Swansea would also end in defeat for Cymru despite Gareth Bale putting his side ahead from the penalty spot as Dejan Lovren and Eduardo ensured the visitors would complete the double over their opponents.
An own goal from James Lawrence and a second from Ivan Perišić earned Croatia a 2-1 victory in Osijek in June 2019 as the two nations met in EURO 2020 qualifying with David Brooks scoring the consolation goal in the second half. In the return match a few months later, Cymru went behind to an early goal from Nikola Vlašić in Cardiff, but Bale equalised to earn his side a point in the 1-1 draw. Most recently, Nathan Broadhead was the injury-time hero for Cymru in the opening match of the current qualifying campaign as his debut goal earned his side a share of the points in another 1-1 draw in March. Andrej Kramarić had put Croatia ahead after 28 minutes, but Cymru stayed in the game to claim an impressive result.
"I’m a bit overwhelmed to be honest,” said Broadhead."It’s a bit emotional as I’ve waited for this moment for so long.” Cymru manager Rob Page confirmed after the 4-0 win against Gibraltar on Wednesday that Joe Low and Charlie Savage would remain with the senior squad for the EURO 2024 qualifier against Croatia. "We’ll keep Sav and Joe and that’s not just off the back of that performance tonight,” said Page. "They’ve done themselves a world of good. With the injuries we’ve got, Sav’s earned the right to be with us and big Joe, I’ve got a lot of time for him. Keeping them in the squad will benefit us.” Both players impressed on their senior debuts as Page named an experimental starting line-up with one eye very much on Sunday’s huge match with Croatia in Cardiff, with Low keeping a clean-sheet at the back and Savage providing the assist for the first of Kieffer Moore’s two goals in the convincing victory. Meanwhile, Wes Burns has left the squad following the shoulder injury he sustained early in the match against Gibraltar on Wednesday night.
The group tells its own tale.
This game isn’t so much a must win for Wales, it’s a must win for Rob Page as well. His record with Wales in recent times has been abysmal. It was in,y last September (2022) he was awarded a new four year contract, and the FAW will be reluctant to pay that contract off with three years to go. However, if defeat comes on Sunday that surely has to be a consideration ?
Turkey will play Latvia at the same time on Sunday evening. We will have more on this game as it gets closer here on the Indy this weekend.
Check out our match day forum here —> Cymru v Croatia