Woodburn leaves it late as Welsh win warm-up
BEN Woodburn emerged as the last-gasp hero as Wales warmed up for the start of their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with a 1-0 friendly victory over Trinidad and Tobago in Wrexham.
Woodburn struck as the game ticked into stoppage time, the Liverpool teenager chesting home Will Vaulks’ cross for his second Wales goal.
Manager Ryan Giggs will be grateful for the win — his fourth from his 10 games — as Wales head into a campaign that the former Manchester United star says will define his time in charge.
Trinidad and Tobago are ranked 93rd in the world — 74 places lower than Wales — and the Soca fielded players from little-known clubs such as Churchill Brothers, Lansing Ignite and Memphis 901.
Giggs selected a shadow side with the opening Euro 2020 qualifier against Slovakia in Cardiff on Sunday.
Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey David Brooks were among the headline acts missing, and it is quite possible that only captain Ashley Williams of the starting XI in Wrexham will play on Sunday.
Wales had won the only previous game between the two nations — a 2006 friendly that was played in Austria and was notable for Bale becoming his country’s youngest ever player at the age of 16 years and 315 days.
There were plusses, with Barnsley winger Ryan Hedges promising in flashes and Rotherham midfielder Vaulks displaying tenacity and awareness on debut.
But Wales’ young strikeforce were largely devoid of ideas, although George Thomas saw a headed effort ruled out for offside midway through the second half.
There appeared no way through for Wales until Woodburn popped up to supply the winner.