DAN’S THE HEAD BOY FOR WALES
JAMES HELPS SEAL VITAL THREE POINTS:
DANIEL James’s late header earned Wales a hard-fought 1-0 victory in their World Cup qualifier with the Czech Republic last night.
The visitors were the better side in the first half and saw Jakub Jankto go close on numerous occasions, although Gareth Bale spurned a glorious chance to put Wales ahead.
Both sides were reduced to 10 men in the second half at Cardiff City Stadium as Patrik Schick was dismissed for the visitors before Connor Roberts was given his marching orders late on.
But James’s fourth international goal earned Wales what could be a vital three points in their quest to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, with the Red Dragons stretching their unbeaten run in home matches to 12 games in the process.
The hosts made just one change from the side that started in the 3-1 loss to Belgium in Leuven as Joe Morrell came in for the injured Joe Allen.
Jaroslav Silhavy made two changes from his side’s 1-1 draw with Belgium, with Vladimir Darida and Schick returning to the starting XI after missing Saturday night’s game due to coronavirus restrictions in Germany.
Wales players warmed up by wearing red shirts with the message “Show racism the red card” emblazoned on the front following the alleged racist abuse suffered by Ben Cabango and Rabbi Matondo after the 1-0 triumph over Mexico.
And they knew their powerful message needed to be backed up with a strong performance on the pitch against a side who had collected four points from their opening two qualifying games.
The early signs showed just how tough a task the Red Dragons had in front of them, with the physicality and height of the visitors, along with their ability to swiftly move up the pitch on the deck, causing problems in the opening stages.
After Harry Wilson came within a whisker of charging down goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik, the lively Jankto curled an effort just wide from the edge of the box.
The Sampdoria star then fired into the side netting after running through on goal as Wales struggled to retain possession under Czech Republic’s intense press.
Kieffer Moore will no doubt have been watching on from the bench feeling he could be just the tonic his side needed to get some kind of grip on the game, although his onlooking Cardiff boss Mick Mccarthy could be forgiven for feeling pleased his star striker was not being put through the mill again.
It will no doubt have proved concerning for Rob Page that his side invited pressure after failing to successfully play their way out from the back on numerous occasions, although their resilience at the back was at least reassuring.
Having looked blunt up top, a burst forward from James left the Czech defence in a panic, and it looked for all the world that Bale would put Wales ahead with a close-range volley from Neco Williams’s cross, but Vaclik pulled off a stunning one-handed save to deny the Tottenham man.
It gave the hosts a lift, with Bale having a volley blocked from the subsequent corner.
Despite that minor wobble, the visitors ended the opening half strongly and saw Darida head wide after Schick had two efforts in quick succession.
They survived a penalty scare late on as James hit the deck in the box, although replays showed the defender got a vital touch on the ball, and the score remained level at the interval.
Wales opted against making any changes for the second half, although their task was made easier just three minutes after the restart when Schick was shown a straight red card for shoving Roberts in the face after Ward gathered a free-kick.
Page wasted little time in showing his cards as Moore was sent on for Chris Mepham in what was a clear sign of the home side’s desire to capitalise on their numerical advantage.
However, they had James Lawrence to thank for keeping the game level
before the hour mark as he came to the rescue to thwart Lukas Provod, who was ready to tap into an empty net after rounding Ward until the defender intervened.
Wales saw more of the ball and created an opening themselves after the 60th minute when James’s driven cross was volleyed goalwards by Bale.
But the visitors continued to threaten and wanted a spot-kick soon after when Provod went down in the box under a challenge from Lawrence, although nothing was given.
Jonny Williams replaced Cardiff team-mate Wilson, although in truth it was the Czechs who looked the more likely to break the deadlock, and the numbers were evened out with 13 minutes left on the clock when Roberts was shown a second yellow card for a soft foul.
James couldn’t quite round Vaclik after latching on to Moore’s through ball with 10 minutes remaining as the game opened up.
But the Manchester United winger made a telling impact moments later as he rose above his marker to head home Bale’s inch-perfect cross to put his side ahead.
And Joe Rodon produced a heroic block in injury time to ensure Page’s men held on to clinch all three points to secure their first win of the qualifying campaign while keeping a clean sheet in the process.
Wales: Ward; Mepham (Moore 56), Rodon, J Lawrence; C Roberts, Morrell, Ampadu, N Williams; James, Wilson (J Williams 76), Bale (capt). Subs not used: Hennessey, A Davies, Gunter, Cabango, T Lawrence, Johnson, Norrington-davies, Sheehan, Smith, Levitt.
Yellow cards: Roberts 48, J Lawrence 54. Red card: Roberts 77.
Czech Republic: Vaclik; Coufal (Vydra 87), Celustka, Kudela (Barak 87), Boril; Holes (Krmencik 53), Soucek; Provod (Kaderabek 82), Darida (capt), Jankto (Masopust 82); Schick. Subs not used: Mandous, Pavlenka, Zima, Stronati, Pavelka, Pesek, Pekhart. Yellow card: Jankto 62. Red card: Schick 48.