Türkiye 0-0 Cymru
UEFA Nations League B, 16th November 2024, RHG Enertürk Enerji Stadyumu
Cymru travelled to Türkiye for the first of the final set of games in this year’s Nations League. Iceland visit Cardiff on Tuesday night for the final game. Türkiye topped the group at the opening whistle, two points clear of Cymru.
Cymru started this match without Moore, Ampadu, Ramsey, Burns, and Beck … through injuries old and new, and sickness being the reason for Luke Harris’ absence. Connor Roberts, Jordan James, Sorba Thomas and Brennan Johnson all returned to the Starting XI.
Embed from Getty ImagesBellamy’s men started off brightly with early attacks down Sorba Thomas’ left wing, winning a corner within seconds of kick off. Unfortunately, neither the attacks or corner troubled the Türkiye keeper.
These early attacks woke up the home side who soon settled in to the game after 10 minutes, but their attacks were limited to long shots and corners that was easily dealt with by the Cymru defence. It took the hosts until the 23rd minute to have their first clear chance when an attack down the right by Türkiye’s Mert Müldür produced a perfect cross into the six-yard box . It would have been an easy tap-in at the far post but for a crucial sliding clearance by Connor Roberts.
Embed from Getty ImagesThat attack was the start of ten minutes of pressure on the Cymru defence, wave and wave of Türkiye attacks were dealt with by the Cymru back four. But with just over half an hour on the clock, Türkiye managed to break through the back line. Yunus Akgün ran on to a defence-splitting pass, leaving him one on one with Karl Darlow. The Cymru keeper spread himself wide and managed to make a stop with his right foot.
Embed from Getty ImagesCymru thought they had scored on 39 minutes when a through ball to Mark Harris was originally flagged offside. Then the Assistant Referee put her flag down as play carried on. Harris crossed into the box, where the ball was met by Jordan James. He put the ball in the net only to see the Assistant put the flag back up and the referee disallowed the goal. A quick VAR check showed that Harris was originally offside.
Minutes later the game was delayed a good five minutes after a nasty clash of heads between Mark Harris and Joe Rodon. The Cymru medical team performed running repairs on both players. Due to this delay, it was 45 +5 on the clock when Cymru had their best chance of the half. Mark Harris somehow managed to keep the ball in play and then went on a mazy run down the left wing. He then cut inside and passed to Harry Wilson, who shot from outside the box beating the Türkiye keeper only to hit the post.
Embed from Getty ImagesDaniel James made his return for the second half; his first game since the Playoff final. DJ replaced Mark Harris who couldn’t carry on after the earlier clash of heads.
Türkiye started the second half the way they played most of the first. Attack after attack but were again unable to break through the heroic Cymru back four,. As with the first half, it left them to shoot from outside the box.
Embed from Getty ImagesLeading up to the hour mark, both sides lacked that final ball, with Cymru looking more comfortable in dealing with the attacks and Türkiye looking frustrated going into the final third of the match. As the match went on attacks from both sides broke down as they came close to the box. Free Kicks flew high and wide, shots easily dealt with by both ‘keepers. A game that had 0-0 written all over it.
Embed from Getty ImagesCymru finally got a ball into the box on the 75th minute but it got caught up in David Brooks’ feet at the far post. Minutes later Real Madrid’s Arda Güler got the ball free just inside the box only to fire over the bar.
With four minutes to go the referee pointed to the spot to give Türkiye a penalty. The foul was given against Neco Williams, but replays showed that he clearly took the ball. Up stepped Kerm Akturkoglu to take the penalty and, as with the rest of the match, his shot hit the post and went out for a goal kick. Justice served.
Embed from Getty ImagesOverall, an excellent performance by the Cymru defence to gain a well-earned away point, blocking 9 of Turkiye’s 24 total shots. So, on to Tuesday night when Cymru take on Iceland in the Cardiff City Stadium and Türkiye travel to Montenegro.
Stephen @StephenJBaker contributed this match report.