WHERE THERE’S A WILL: NECO AN INSTANT HERO WITH LATE GOAL
NECO Williams’ injury-time header ensured Wales maintained their 100 per cent winning record in the Nations League with a 1-0 victory over Bulgaria in Cardiff.
Chances were at a premium in what was a very cagey contest at Cardiff City Stadium.
Gareth Bale and Daniel James both had efforts for the hosts while David Brooks struck the post in the second half, with the visitors failing to register a single shot on target.
But substitute Neco Williams headed home Jonny Williams’ cross four minutes into injury time as Wales made it two wins from two in the 2020-21 Nations League.
Ryan Giggs had no fresh injury concerns following the 1-0 triumph over Finland on Thursday night.
And he was boosted by the return of Brooks, who started against Bulgaria having missed the win in Helsinki due to an ankle injury.
The Bournemouth star came in for Jonny Williams, with the only other change seeing Manchester City midfielder Matt Smith replace Manchester United youngster Dylan Levitt.
Wales’ win in Finland extended their unbeaten run to seven matches, and their record at Cardiff City Stadium has been hugely impressive, with the Red Dragons losing just three of their last 23 matches at the home of the Bluebirds.
Despite no fans being present because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Red Wall still had an impact before a ball was even kicked as the recording of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau from Wales’ 2-0 triumph against Hungary – their last outing on home soil some 292 days earlier – was played over the speaker system prior to kick-off.
However, once Portuguese referee Fabio Verissimo blew his whistle to get the game under way, the action matched the lack of atmosphere.
Both sides looked cagey as they traded jabs early on, with neither side threatening to bulge the net, let alone venture into the opposing box.
And it took until the 25th minute for the game’s first real opening, with Galin Ivanov’s curling shot being deflected just wide.
That effort didn’t exactly spark the game into life, although Brooks attempted to take matters into his own hands by charging forward just after the half-hour mark before linking up nicely with Bale whose effort was well blocked.
Bale then fed Connor
Roberts on
the right, although the Swansea City defender’s cross was easily cleared by the visitors.
Bulgaria captain Georgi Kostadinov was booked two minutes before the break for a late challenge on Roberts as rain poured down in the Welsh capital.
Bale stepped up to take the freekick from around 30 yards out, although his effort – Wales’ first on target – was easily dealt with by Georgi Georgiev.
The hosts did carve out one more opportunity before the break after Kieffer Moore put Kristian Dimitrov under pressure, but Brooks’ volley went well wide to bring an end to what was a very uneventful half.
Neither manager made any changes at the break, and Giggs must have been concerned when Bale was left on the ground after a collision with Ivan Goranov, although the 31-yearold was able to continue.
Cardiff frontman Moore was getting precious little in the way of decisions from the referee, and Giggs responded by sending on Hal Robson-Kanu for what was the West Brom forward’s first Wales outing since the 1-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to the Republic of Ireland in October 2017.
Liverpool youngster Neco Williams replaced Roberts soon after, and Wales started to up the tempo as they went in search of a winner.
James played a slick one-two with Brooks before firing at goal midway through the second half, although Georgiev parried the swerving strike before gathering at the second attempt.
Brooks then went even closer after being teed up by James, who was the recipient of a sublime crossfield pass from Bale, although the Bournemouth man’s strike hit the outside of the post.
Brooks was then replaced, with Jonny Williams sent on for the final 15 minutes which meant Bale would play the full 90 minutes in a fixture for the first time since Real Madrid’s 3-0 win over Getafe in January.
And Wales secured victory at the death as Jonny Williams floated in a cross for Neco Williams to guide home with his head as Wales clinched their fourth consecutive win ahead of next month’s away triple header against England, the Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria.