Wales youngsters have a Will to win
NECO DELIVERS WARNING TO ENGLAND
GARETH SOUTHGATE may well fast forward the first 90 minutes of this dour clash when he takes a look at England’s visitors next month.
But injury time will be essential viewing – and may send a shudder down Southgate’s spine.
Wales, who play an October friendly at Wembley, will do so in confident mood after extending their unbeaten run to eight games with a fourth successive win for first time since 1981.
The youngsters’ form and fearlessness will give Ryan Giggs real optimism about an upset.
And the Wales manager believes his team have inherited his old Manchester United side’s habit for late winners.
Giggs said: “It is a great trait to have. We keep going.
“It has an effect on the opposition and it gives you belief to keep going if you keep scoring late goals.
“It was our best move of the game and it came in the last minute. You need that desire, quality and fitness.”
Several of Wales’ starlets were eligible for England at one time.
Match- winner Neco Williams, the Liverpool right- back, was on England’s radar because of his English grandparents.
Williams, 19, charged up to head an added- time winner to top a 22- pass move while earning his second cap.
The Wrexham- born defender said: “England were ringing my agent a lot but I wasn’t having any of it. My family are Welsh, I am Welsh and my friends are Welsh. For me it was always going to be Wales.
“England will be a great game and we are going to prove to them we are capable of beating them.”
David Brooks, who played for England Under- 20s, also caught the eye. Their contributions ensured Wales triumphed in successive Nations League wins despite talisman Gareth Bale struggling for form. The hosts laboured against Bulgaria, ranked 36 places below them in 59th spot. They took until the 31st minute to produce a move of any quality. Brooks swapped passes with Bale before returning the ball again with a back- heel, but Bale’s effort was blocked.
The Wales skipper lacked sharpness after not featuring for Real Madrid in eight games. But it was Kieffer Moore who made way for Hal Robson- Kanu’s first game since October 2017.
Wales were better in the second half as they moved the ball quicker. They tested keeper Georgi Georgiev in the 68th minute as Dan James curled in an effort from the edge of the box.
The lively Brooks also smashed a fierce shot just over. Bale lasted the full match here, having been taken off on Thursday, and put a 20- yard shot over in the last minute.
But it did not matter as Williams popped up in stoppage time to head in a back- post header from Jonny Williams’ cross.
WALES ( 4- 2- 3- 1): Hennessey 6; Roberts 6 ( N Williams 65, 7), Lockyer 6, Ampadu 7, Davies 7; Smith 6, Morrell 6; Bale 6, Brooks 7 ( J Williams 76), James 6; Moore 6 ( Robson- Kanu 61, 6).
Goal: N Williams 90.
BULGARIA ( 4- 4- 1- 1): Georgiev 6; Cicinho 6, Dimitrov 7, Nedyalkov 7, Goranov 6; Karagaren 6, Kostadinov 6, Karabelyov 6, Ivanov 6 ( Delev 70, 6); Nedelev 6 ( Krastev 82); Kraev 6 ( Iliev 61, 6).