WALES ARE KEPT ALIVE BY BALE-OUT
Bruising draw against Croatia keeps door open
GARETH BALE had Wales daring to dream of a place at Euro 2020 on a night when Daniel James suffered a sickening blow to the head that had players briefly fearing for his safety.
James fell awkwardly and was motionless for a few seconds after a clash with Domagoj Vida, but the Manchester United player and coach Ryan Giggs both said he did not lose consciousness and had passed all concussion tests at half time. Bale’s equaliser in first-half stoppage time earned a precious point after Nikola Vlasic had given Croatia an early lead. Giggs, meanwhile, suggested James had exaggerated his reaction to the fall.
‘I talk about players being smart and he was smart,’ said Giggs. ‘He stayed down. He told the doctors, “Yeah, I’m just not moving, I’m just sitting still”. Not to get anyone sent off, but using his nous. At half-time he did all the concussion tests and he was fine.’
James added: ‘He caught me in the head. I didn’t get knocked out.’
If Wales finish level on points with Slovakia, they will end the group above them thanks to a better head-to-head record. Victories against Azerbaijan and Hungary in their last two qualifiers are paramount.
If they achieve those, they must hope Slovakia — who have 10 points to Wales’s eight — stumble in their final two games, in Croatia and at home to Azerbaijan.
Two wins for Slovakia would probably leave Wales in the play-offs, thanks to their performance in the Nations League.
‘We showed character, commitment and quality,’ said Giggs. ‘These last two games are a step forward.’
In a bruising encounter, James’s team-mate Ethan Ampadu had to be substituted soon after the break when feeling the full force of Bruno Petkovic’s forearm in the back of his neck. Bale also looked to be struggling at the end — although Giggs said he was suffering from cramp — and substitute Harry Wilson was hobbling after being blocked by Luka Modric.
Croatia were also furious that Bale’s goal was allowed to stand as they believed Ben Davies had fouled Mateo Kovacic before playing the decisive pass.
Croatia bossed the majority of the opening exchanges and took the lead through former Everton midfielder Vlasic, but let in Bale with the interval approaching.
After nine minutes, Josip Brekalo slalomed down the left before feeding centre forward Petkovic. His layoff to the edge of the box was struck first-time by Vlasic and the ball went in off the inside of the left post.
Croatia let their intensity drop and were made to pay in first-half stoppage time when Davies swapped passes with Bale and released the Real Madrid man, who slipped away from Dejan Lovren and drilled the ball past Dominik Livakovic.
Shortly after half-time, Ampadu needed two minutes of treatment after the clash with Petkovic and was replaced by Joe Morrell.
When play resumed, Modric was robbed by Williams, who sent James clear for an angled shot that Livakovic gathered at the second attempt.
As Wales pushed for a winner, Modric was booked in the closing minutes for a cynical check on Wilson. Modric was injured in fouling the forward and was booed by most of the ground as he was replaced by Milan Badelj.
Wales midfielder Joe Allen collected a late booking that means he misses next month’s trip to Azerbaijan.
WALES (4-2-3-1): Hennessey 7; C Roberts 6, Lockyer 6, Rodon 6, B Davies 7; Ampadu 5 (Morrell 50mins, 6), Allen 7; Bale 7, J Williams 7 (Wilson 68, 6), James 6; Moore 7 (Roberts 86). Subs not used: Ward, A Davies, Gunter, Taylor, A Williams, Vokes, Lawrence, Matondo, Vaulks.
CROATIA (4-2-3-1): Livakovic 6; Jedvaj 6, Lovren 5, Vida 7, Barisic 6; Modric 6 (Badelj 90), Kovacic 7 (Rakitic 46, 6); Perisic 6, Vlasic 7, Brekalo 7; Petkovic 6 (Rebic 64, 6). Subs not used: Kalinic, Sluga, Melnjak, Peric, Orsic, Bradaric, Skoric, Pasalic, Bartolec. Ref: Bjorn Kuipers (Hol) 5. Att: 31,745.