A perfect Czech out for Dan the man
HEAD BOY JAMES NODS LATE WINNER
DAN JAMES powered in a dramatic late header to clinch victory for Wales on a stormy night in Cardiff as both sides finished with 10 men.
Manchester United winger James may be small in stature but he rose superbly to nod in his third international goal in the 81st minute, above.
He delivered a brilliant downward header from skipper Gareth Bale’s excellent cross.
It capped a dramatic night as, first, Connor Roberts went down poleaxed after Patrik Schick pushed him in the throat and the Czech player was sent off after 48 minutes.
But the hosts also ended up with 10 men when Tomas Soucek helped earn Roberts a second booking.
Wales were initially unable to capitalise on Schick’s dismissal. The game then looked set for a stalemate as Roberts ended up taking an early bath on 76 minutes when Soucek made a meal of his aerial challenge. Victory, though, boosted caretaker Rob Page’s prospects of succeeding absent boss Ryan Giggs, who is on police bail. And it kept Wales in the hunt for second place in the group, assuming world No1 Belgium win it.
The visitors included Slavia Prague’s Ondrej Kudela despite police investigating an alleged racist row with Rangers’ Glen Kamara earlier this month at Ibrox. Unlike Wales, the Czechs opted not to take the knee before kick-off and instead pointed to the UEFA Respect inscription on the sleeve of their shirts.
The Czechs made a positive start as Jakub Jankto had an early shot which Danny Ward gathered at the second attempt.
But the visitors nearly gave Harry Wilson a chance when Ondrej Celustka’s backpass had keeper Tomas Vaclik racing off his line to clear. The Czechs remained the more dangerous
side although it was Wales who went closest to scoring the opener.
Neco Williams swung over a 36th-minute cross that Bale, left, met on the volley. But he did not catch it cleanly and Vaclik tipped it over superbly.
Wales also appealed in vain for a penalty when James went to ground in the box from a challenge by Soucek.
Schick then received his marching orders. The big striker tangled with Roberts at a setpiece and reacted by pushing out at the Welshman’s throat.
And there was a huge irony to Roberts getting the red card when Soucek went down, right.
Bale was unable to add to his 33 Wales goals and it is now nine games without scoring for him since October 2019. But he still provided a moment of quality to tee up James’ winner. WALES (4-2-3-1): Ward 6; Mepham 7 (Moore 56, 6), Rodon 7, Lawrence 8; Roberts 6, Ampadu 6, Morrell 6, N Williams 7; Bale 7, Wilson 6 (J Williams 76), James 7. Goal: James 81. Sent off: Roberts 77.
CZECH REPUBLIC (4-2-3-1): Vaclik 7; Coufal 7 (Vydra 87), Celustka 7, Kudela 7 (Barak 87), Boril 6; Holes 5 (Krmencik 53, 6), Soucek 7; Provod 7 (Kaderabek 82), Darida 7, Jankto 7 (Masopust 82); Schick 4. Sent off: Schick 48.