DAN’S ROCKET STRIKE GIVES GIGGS LIFT-OFF
So, the Ryan Giggs era begins in earnest with the win he needed and more besides to be pleased about. Wales made hard work of victory in the second half and Slovakia could have equalised towards the end, but after what felt like a warm-up year, Giggs can reflect on three points gained in the campaign for euro 2020 and an important performance from his young team. Dan James translated his form for Swansea to the international stage, scoring an electric goal after just five minutes and Matt Smith, Manchester City’s 19-year-old midfielder, was impressive in a key position. David Brooks, 21, and harry Wilson, 22, supported Gareth Bale in a fluid attack. Bale, Joe Allen, and Ben Davies were the three outfield players with more than 10 caps, the only names to survive from the euro 2016 game against the Slovakians. Giggs knows better than anybody that you can win things with kids and exhibited a ruthless streak by dropping Ashley Williams, 34, in favour of James Lawrence, 26, who plays for Anderlecht and had just two previous Wales appearances. Although he started a new centreback pairing of Lawrence and Chris Mepham, Williams came on for the final quarter to move level with Gary Speed on 85 caps. ‘he didn’t sulk,’ said Giggs. ‘You saw, when he came on, the leadership qualities he’s got.’ Wayne hennessey, 32, was another player showing the merit of age, producing two very good saves. But this was a day about the promise of youth, with winger James, 21, to the fore. he made his Wales debut against Albania in November and here, on his first competitive start, delivered the decisive early goal. Wilson linked up intricately down the right with Brooks, who burst clear with purpose. Though his pass went to Peter Pekarik, James was alert. With that explosive speed of his, James jumped on the Slovakian’s loose touch and thundered home a shot from 20 yards. ‘The only thing I had in my head was to shoot,’ said James. Giggs let his fists fly in celebration and later said: ‘he’s brought his club form on to the international stage. he was a threat all day. he can go either side, he’s intelligent, he works hard. When you have that pace you are a threat at any level.’ The goal set the tone for a confident start and Brooks went close to doubling the lead. In the second half, Slovakia finally turned their possession into chances. Robert Mak fed Albert Rusnak, who turned and struck a shot that hennessey saved with his face. Wales began to look a little strained defensively, but in attack always had incisiveness with Wilson unfortunate on two occasions. Williams and hennessey used their experience late on as Wales held out and can now look forward to June’s double-header in Croatia and then hungary with optimism.
WALES (4-2-3-1): Hennessey 7; C Roberts 7, Mepham 7, Lawrence 7, Davies 7; Allen 7, Smith 7.5; Wilson 7.5 (Vaulks 87min), Brooks 7.5 (T Roberts 60, 6.5), JAMES 8 (Williams 73, 6.5); Bale 7. Scorer: James 5. Booked: Brooks, Allen. Manager: Ryan Giggs 7.5. SLOVAKIA (4-2-3-1): Dubravka 6; Pekarik 5 (Safranko 90), Vavro 6, Skriniar 6, Hancko 6; Kucka 6, Lobotka 6; Rusnak 7, Hamsik 6.5, Mak 6 (Stoch 69, 5); Duda 5 (Duris 65, 5).
Booked: Vavro, Kucka, Lobotka, Hamsik, Stoch, Mak.
Manager: Pavel Hapel 6.5. Referee: Felix Zwayer 7.
Attendance: 31,617.