Moore the merrier on Gunter’s night
A FRIENDLY in an empty stadium is not how footballers dream of making history but Charlton’s Chris Gunter could at least celebrate a victory as he became the first Wales player to win 100 caps.
The defender captained a muchchanged side in last night’s game against Mexico and produced an assured performance as Rob Page’s men triumphed thanks to Kieffer Moore’s 11th-minute goal.
The 31- year- old’s international career began in 2007 with a friendly against New Zealand and though his performances at club level have not matched their early promise, Gunter has never let his country down. With one eye on Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic here, Page — who continues to take the team in the absence of Ryan Giggs — left skipper Gareth Bale and other key men out of the starting XI. Wolves forward Raul Jimenez, who has not played since fracturing his skull last November, was in the stands after training with Mexico.
Mexico could have won a penalty with barely a minute on the clock when Hirving Lozano was bundled over by Ben Cabango as he raced into the penalty area.
Wales had little of the ball but used it when well they did, producing a clever move to take the lead. After Mexico had failed to clear a corner, Tyler Roberts found Jonny Williams and the low cross was turned in by his Cardiff team-mate. Without Jimenez in attack, Mexico lacked punch. When Jesus Corona did find shooting space after snaking past Cabango, the Porto forward fired wide.
Hal Robson-Kanu had replaced Moore at half-time and should have done better when teed up by Roberts six yards out only to attempt an ambitious backheel that did not trouble Guillermo Ochoa.
Wayne Hennessey made his first serious save in the 55th minute as Lozano escaped Cabango and was denied by the feet of the Crystal Palace man.
WALES (3-4-2-1): Hennessey 7; Gunter 7, Cabango 5.5, Norrington-Davies 6; J Williams 7 (C Roberts 86min), Levitt 6.5 (Sheehan 46, 6), Smith 6, Lawrence 6 (N Williams 65, 6); T Roberts 7 (Johnson 65, 6), Matondo 6.5 (Bale 81); Moore 6.5 (Robson Kanu 46, 6). Subs (not used): Davies, King, Rodon, Cooper, Ampadu, Morrell. Referee: I McNabb (Northern Ireland) 5.
REPUBLIC of Ireland fell to an embarrassing defeat at home to a Luxembourg side ranked 98th in the world who had only won five World Cup qualifiers previously.
The goal came on 85 minutes after Ireland could not clear a long ball, which landed for Gerson Rodrigues to smash home from about 30 yards out.
It is now 10 matches and counting without a win for hapless boss Stephen Kenny, whose future is surely under huge scrutiny. ‘He can’t defend that, it’s an embarrassment,’ said former Ireland and Liverpool defender Phil Babb on Sky Sports.