Red-hot James strikes again as Wales grab morale-boosting victory
Daniel James’s first-half goal gave Wales a 1-0 friendly victory over Belarus in Cardiff.
James has been in outstanding scoring form since his summer switch from Swansea to Manchester United, and the 21-year-old winger was on target again for his country. Jonny Williams fed him down the left and James curled the ball brilliantly across goalkeeper Maksim Plotnikov from 18 yards and into the far corner of the net.
Afterwards, James said: “The group’s very open now. Azerbaijan drew with Croatia – this group is a difficult one. We’ve got Croatia at home next and that’s going to be a big one. It’s two big games that we feel are winnable.”
The goal lit up what was a lowkey game played before one of Wales’ smallest crowds in the 10-year history of the Cardiff City Stadium. The 7,666 who turned up saw Wales record back-to-back wins after Friday’s Euro 2020 qualifying success over Azerbaijan, but there was little atmosphere in the 33,000-capacity stadium.
Wales manager Ryan Giggs, who bore the brunt of some criticism from supporters for a limp performance against Azerbaijan, will take positives from this contest.
There was a greater cohesion to much of their play than there was on Friday, while Giggs will be grateful for what was only a fourth clean sheet in 12 games.
Skipper Gareth Bale dropped to the bench as Lincoln City midfielder Joe Morrell and Wigan striker Kieffer Moore were handed debuts – the 42nd and 43rd players used by Giggs in his 15 games in charge. Wales took the lead when Williams led a counter-attack and found James, who finished like a man who has scored three goals in four games for United.
Bale replaced James five minutes after the restart and somehow contrived to send the ball skywards from six yards when Wilson produced an inch-perfect delivery.
The Real Madrid striker had a rueful smile as he ended up in the back of the net, knowing that he should have scored his 33rd international goal, but Wales held on for a morale-boosting victory before next month’s more demanding Euro 2020 qualifiers against Slovakia and Croatia.