Wales 2 v Latvia 0 Match Report
Chris Price @chris10pricey takes a look at events in Riga. With photos from Rhys Lloyd over in Latvia.
After a catastrophic June, Wales resuscitated their hopes of automatic qualification with a much needed and vital win in Riga to keep them within touching distance of the top 2 in Group D. With just 1 win in 13, the talk pre match was of the consequence of not winning and whether Page would still be in a job come Tuesday morning.
After fielding a much stronger side than expected in the ‘inconvenient’ friendly against South Korea last Thursday, Page only made one change from the starting line-up. Expectedly, Aaron Ramsey came in to replace Nathan Broadhead.
For the home side, there were 2 changes off the back of their drubbing against Croatia last week. Prior to kick-off there was the boost that Croatia had beaten Armenia, meaning the gaps would close for Wales, if they could take care of business in Riga.
In the compact, Skonto Stadium, the Red Wall was in fine voice, surely lubricated by a full day ahead of the game and incredibly 8% beer in the away end. There were Welsh fans all over the ground and apparently, it was easier to get beer than it was to get water!
Embed from Getty ImagesIf there were any pre-match nerves, it wasn’t showing. Wales started on the front foot and remained there for most of the first half. Within the first 5 minutes, Wales had created 2 good opportunities, Brennan Johnson firing over after a lovely through ball from Ampadu and then Ampadu headed over from a corner.
From another corner, Ben Davies unmarked, had his header well tipped over by the Latvian keeper. Johnson forced past 2 defenders but again wildly fired his shot over the bar. Harry Wilson deflected shot on 15 minutes was alertly pounced on by the keeper and Connor Roberts header was well held a few minutes later. After a blistering front footed start, it only seemed like a matter of time.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt took until the 27th minute, and it was courtesy of a helping hand from Latvia. Roberts kept the ball in superbly well and Harry Wilson was bundled into from behind, with Dubra clearly forearming him in the back of the head. Ramsey stepped up and coolly rolled it into the corner as the keeper went the wrong way.
Wales’ dominance continued and they were creating good chances. Brennan Johnson kept the ball in well and found Neco Williams, who cut it back on to his right, before curling just wide. Moments later, Johnson dragged the ball just wide. Harry Wilson then drove a shot down the keeper’s throat.
But as often happens with a. solitary goal lead, the Latvians created a gilt-edge chance just before half time. Ikauniekis headed straight at Ward, when either side would have caused major problems and then from the resultant corner, Ward came and flapped and Krollis had an empty net to aim at the back post, but luckily didn’t connect well. Krollis again came agonisingly close as the ball flashed wide from a free header. A stark reminder one goal might not be enough as Wales have learnt to their detriment in the past.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe second half begun in the same vein as the first, with Wales continuing their dominance. On 50 minutes, there was collective breath in from the Red Wall as Aaron Ramsey was forced off and replaced by David Brookes, to a rousing reception for both.
Johnson had 2 more great chances to get on the scoresheet and make the game safe for Wales, his first well smothered by the keeper, but his second from an excellent Jordan James through ball, he really should have done better, dragging his shot wide. It really wasn’t his night! At the other end, Krollis had Ward scrambling as he poked his shot just wide.
Embed from Getty ImagesAs the 2nd half progressed, more and more reckless challenges were going in and on 67 mins, Ikauniekis was incredibly lucky to stay on the pitch for a wild challenge on Jordan James. The ref was sent to the screen but decided a yellow was sufficient. It’s almost laughable at times how some decisions are viewed. From this decision erupted a rather tetchy final 20 minutes, as both sides got increasingly frustrated with the officiating.
With 7 minutes left, Brooks seemed to spurn our best chance to make the game safe. From a lovely move, which included a lovely flick from Johnson, Neco Willams saw his shot rebound up into the air and when Brooks got on the end of the rebound, he misconnected with his left, driving it into the ground. Moments later, Wales were almost made to pay for it and the small number of Latvians in the ground thought they had equalised when they rippled the side netting from a curling effort from outside the box, prompting a huge exhale from most Wales fans.
On 94 minutes, Danny Ward collected a ball to the celebrations of a goal, but Wales’ fans would only have to wait seconds to celebrate a goal that would finally kill off the game. As Latvia threw players forward, Rodon cleared, Harry Wilson chased and he found David Brooks, who showed the composure needed by others earlier in the night and chipped the ball over the keeper for 2 nil. His first Wales goal since November 2020, the clincher in a crucial win and one that should be cherished for what it meant to him.
Embed from Getty ImagesWales got the win that they needed, and Robert Page got a performance he needed. Wales had 25 shots on target and dominated the game, which would be expected against a lesser opponent, but Page will take several positives. Obviously, Brooks involvement and goal, Wilson’s performance but he may have stumbled on a midfield pairing that works and frees up Ramsey to go further forward.
Johnson on another night could have had a hatful but will improve and will be more effective out wide supplying for Kieffer. We kept a clean sheet, which hasn’t happened often enough in recent times. It won’t keep all the doubters quiet, but had they not won tonight, the noise would be deafening.
In the context of the group, Wales have given themselves hope. They are now just 3 points behind the top 2 and level with Armenia. In the next matchday set, Wales only face Croatia at home (and Gibraltar in a friendly), whereas Croatia also face Turkey prior to their trip to Cardiff. On the same night, Armenia are in Latvia, and although you would expect them to win, if Latvia can make it difficult you never know. Turkey then face Latvia the same night we are playing Croatia.
There will be a lot of movement in the next group of fixtures, but Wales will now hope that Croatia can run away with the group forcing a shoot-out between themselves, Armenia, and Turkey. Realistically, they probably need 7, or even 9 points to qualify from here, which would mean winning in Armenia and then beating Turkey on the final night. If Wales can take it down to that final game, that will be seen as an achievement, from where they were.
Embed from Getty ImagesFor Robert Page his future may depend on taking it down to that last game and the level of performance he gets from the players in that time. But for now, Page secured the much-needed win and will surely get the chance to improve on it. If he gets the chance to take us into the play-offs, will depend on how he can motivate, prepare and deliver in the final 3 games in the group.