DOWN AND OUT
Wales hopes crushed as Croatia hit back after early Bale strike
TWO bolts from the blue ended Wales’ faint qualification hopes after Gareth Bale had appeared to strike a decisive penalty for Chris Coleman’s side.
A thunderous 35-yard shot, drilled home by defender Dejan Lovren, cancelled out the early spot kick by the Spurs star as the home coach was counting down the seconds towards victory.
Croatia, playing in their change kit of all-blue, were struggling to find a way through a packed home rearguard as the hosts battled gamely to cling onto their lead.
But with 13 minutes to go the Lyon centre-half decided to try his luck from distance, the ball wobbling and deceiving home keeper Boaz Myhill.
It was a wonderful goal and it needed to be to beat the Wales keeper, who made two superb saves in each half to protect an advantage given to them when Bale converted a 21st-minute penalty after Joe Ledley had drawn a clumsy challenge from Croatia’s eventual hero Lovren.
And the value of the strike by the defender was seen in the final two minutes when Croatia completed their late raid.
A cross from the left somehow found its way into the dangerzone and Eduardo pounced to finally extinguish any faint hopes the Welsh had of reaching the finals in Brazil.
One element Coleman has had to manage since his appointment 13 months ago is his team selection.
For those asking why the results gained under the late Gary Speed have not been replicated by his successor, one answer can be found i n the constant chopping and changing, almost exclusively forced by injury. The loss of former skipper Aaron Ramsey was a particular blow, although his absence was explained through suspension. He might have taken one for the team at Hampden Park with his late dismissal but, given his outstanding performance last week, it was highly likely the Arsenal man would be missed against such highlyrated opponents.
In defence, James Collins returned for Sam Ricketts, while there was a first start for Crystal Palace teenager Jonathan Williams. The youngster certainly did not look out of place during the opening skirmishes.
It would not have taken a genius to work out the tactics of visiting coach Igor Stimac, particularly given the nature of the challenge that poleaxed Bale with just five minutes gone.
The Spurs man looked a different player to the pale imitation in Glasgow. It was clear that the virus that had taken such a firm hold last week was no longer restricting him.
He picked up the ball and simply ran at the heart of the visitors’ defence.
It looked no contest when faced with Vedran Corluka, whose tackle was horrifically late. Referee Luca Banti would have been within his rights to produce a red card. However, on this occasion a caution sufficed.
Luka Modric had been allowed to run the corresponding fixture in Osijek. He somehow turned defence into attack moments later with a delightful pass releasing Mario Mandzukic. Although the first attack came to nothing, the ball from the resulting corner was retrieved by Lovren and his cross found Eduardo.
The striker should have found the net with his header, but that implicit criticism would suggest the save by Myhill was less than stunning. It was a fantastic reflex stop.
Joe Ledley, meanwhile, enjoyed one of his best games in a red shirt. He worked himself into a position where he too could run at the heart of the Croatia defence.
A neat shuffle of the ball from left to right and back again drew a lunge from Lovren and he caught the Celtic midfielder to concede a penalty.
With Bale brimful of confidence, it made perfect sense for him to try his luck, belting the ball down the middle as keeper Stipe Pletikosa dived too early.
Although Croatia looked more polished, Wales could have ended the game by half-time, had Bale enjoyed a touch more luck in front of goal.
Hal Robson-Kanu rolled the ball across goal to him only for Bale’s sidefoot to be well stopped by Pletikosa. Then a fantastic breakaway that spanned the length of the pitch saw Bale go clear after being released by the same player.
This time, the Spurs star could only spoon his effort high over the crossbar. Wales paid for the misses.