ALBANIA 1 WALES 0
MATCH REPORT & RATINGS:
WALES’ first year under Ryan Giggs ended in miserable fashion as they were beaten 1-0 in their friendly with Albania at Elbasan Arena.
The visitors spurned plenty of opportunities, with Sam Vokes, David Brooks and Harry Wilson all having chances to get on the scoresheet.
And a second half penalty from Bekim Balaj ultimately proved to be enough for Albania who inflicted a fifth defeat in nine matches on Wales under Giggs.
The Wales boss made eight changes to the side that started in the 2-1 Nations League defeat to Denmark on Friday, with only Connor Roberts, Joe Allen and David Brooks retaining their places.
And Chris Gunter took the captain’s armband from Ashley Williams on what was the Reading man’s 93rd appearance for the national side, taking him passed the previous men’s record held by legendary goalkeeper Neville Southall.
Giggs handed international debuts to Anderlecht defender James Lawrence and Swansea City winger Daniel James. And goalkeeper Danny Ward was drafted in for Wayne Hennessey who had been the only player to start every game under Wales’ current boss prior to the match in Elbasan, with Ward’s Leicester City team mate Andy King starting on what was his 50th cap for the national side.
It was the visitors who had the first real opening of the match as Lawrence calmly carried the ball out from the back before playing an inch-perfect pass through to James on the left, but Sam Vokes was unable to head home the Swansea man’s curling cross.
And Lawrence showed his composed qualities once again by feeding Brooks, who had a shot deflected wide moments later.
Wales continued to enjoy the better of the opening stages as Harry Wilson flashed a free-kick inches wide after being tripped around 25 yards out.
Christian Panucci’s side eventually started to see more of the ball, although they struggled to threaten the visitors.
And it was Wales who thought they had taken the lead midway through the opening half as Wilson dazzled the Albanian defence before crossing to Brooks, who headed just wide.
Goalkeeper Etrit Berisha was called into action soon after as Roberts crossed towards Vokes on the edge of the six-yard box.
And Ward was finally given something to do at the other end as he had to be alert to pounce as Balaj threatened.
The chances dried up for Wales as the half wore on, and the challenges started to fly in from the hosts, with Taulant Xhaka being extremely fortunate to escape a red card after appearing to head-butt Brooks.
And the Bournemouth man thought he had registered an assist in the dying moments of the first half as he fed Vokes inside the area, but the Burnley striker’s tame shot was easily saved as the score remained level at the break.
Wales almost took the lead 57 seconds into the second half as Tom Lockyer won a header from a corner, although Vokes was unable to prod home to put his side 1-0 up.
However, it was Albania who enjoyed the better of the opening stages in the second half as Gunter was shown a yellow card seven minutes after the restart.
Giggs was evidently concerned and sent on Aaron Ramsey along with Ben Woodburn in place of James and Allen.
But things soon took a turn for the worse as Wilson conceded a penalty after pulling down Xhaka in the box, and Balaj slotted home from 12 yards out to give Panucci’s men the lead.
Gareth Bale was summoned from the bench in a desperate bid to spare Giggs’ blushes, with the Real Madrid star replacing Brooks just before the
hour mark.
And Wales were left fuming in the 66th minute as Wilson was brought down in the Albania box by Migjen Basha, although Macedonian referee Dejan Jakimovski refused to point to the spot.
They were almost on the receiving end of more pain as a neatly worked move between Xhaka and substitute Ledian Memushaj saw the latter pick out Myrto Uzuni in the box, but the 23-year-old fired his effort over Ward’s goal.
Sheffield United man Kieron Freeman and Man City youngster Rabbi Matondo were both sent on for their Wales debuts with 12 minutes to go, with Roberts and Vokes making way.
Woodburn had a tame effort saved late on while Bale struck an injury time free-kick into the wall, but in truth, Wales didn’t look like getting back on terms and slumped to a hugely disappointing defeat.
Wales will now turn their focus to qualifying for Euro 2020, the draw for which takes place in Dublin on December 2.