No doubtingThomas but Wales hopes are in balance
Wales’ Under-20s Toulon Tournament hopes were left hanging by a thread after they squandered a 1-0 lead to draw 2-2 with group winners Ivory Coast.
George Thomas’ sensational early goal had put Wales in line for an automatic semi-final spot but second half strikes from Christ Tiehl and Jean Krasso turned the game on its head. A second Thomas goal in the last second of stoppage time ensured a share of the spoils and kept Welsh hopes alive, with Wales finishing the tournament undefeated after one win and two draws from their three games.
Rob Page’s side got the dream start they craved after eight minutes when Coventry City winger Thomas latched onto a raking ball from Jack Evans to control and volley home from close range. It was a superb piece of composure from the 20-year-old, supposedly one of the lesser lights in this talented Welsh side, but excellent throughout.
Everton starlet Nathan Broadhead was a threat in the first half, and almost doubled the Wales lead on 24 minutes with a snapshot that clipped the side netting.
And Broadhead got another sight of goal three minutes before the break after thundering a free-kick inches wide.
Ivory Coast were proving an awkward opponent, flying into tackles and trying to out-muscle Wales with their physical style of play.
Les Elephants picked up three yellow cards in a combative opening half. But, undeterred, new manager Page encouraged his teem to go toeto-toe with them after the interval.
They did just that, with Thomas squandering a great chance just minutes after the restart. Daniel James whipped in a precise cross from the left only for Thomas to direct his back post header across goal and wide of the mark.
Ivory Coast were never far away from levelling with Wilfried Gnoukouri a constant menace down the left.
And they got a precious equaliser on 52 minutes when midfielder Tiehl jumped highest and nodded into the far corner. It was a goal that left Wales in second place in Group B, reliant on results from Group C to determine their semi-final fate, a goal that kept Ivory Coast top of the group.
Then came the sickener. Substitute Krasso was given too much time to turn and fire past Pilling and suddenly Wales were facing possible elimination.
Page had sent on Mark Harris and Liam Cullen in the hope of finding a winner but instead Wales were playing catch up in the remaining 15 minutes.
All hope appeared lost until Thomas pounced and slotted home in the game’s last action.
It means Wales now face an anxious wait, with Brazil facing Czech Republic and Scotland playing Indonesia in Group C on Tuesday (today). A win for either side would eliminate Wales, with only the best secondplaced side joining England and Ivory Coast in the last four.
Either way, it’s been a tournament full of promise for the young side, defeated and – as this game showed – never lacking in character. Wales: Pilling, Coxe, Rodon (capt.), Mepham, Abbruzzese, J.Evans, Poole, Broadhead (Harris, 61), G. Thomas, James, Roberts (Cullen, 61).