REP OF IRE 0 WALES 1
THE pre-match talk surrounded who wouldn’t be in action at the Aviva Stadium rather than those who would be.
And the stats made pretty grim reading for the visitors.
But that did nothing to dampen the spirits of the Red Wall who once again backed Ryan Giggs’ side in numbers, and they were handsomely rewarded as Harry Wilson’s sensational freekick earned Wales – without their two most potent stars – all three points in a largely dull encounter.
Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey dominated the headlines prior the Dublin encounter, and Wales’ record without the former left little to be desired.
Wales went into the clash with the Emerald Isle having won just three of the 13 competitive matches they had played without Bale, and just eight in 39 in all competitions since he made his international bow against Trinidad & Tobago in 2006.
And history was made from the outset as Wales played a competitive fixture without both Bale and Ramsey for the first time since the latter made his debut against Denmark as a freshfaced 17-year-old a decade ago.
Someone had to step up, and Giggs went with a youthful starting line-up that had an average of just 24.8, twoand-a-half years younger than that of the hosts.
David Brooks was one of those young guns desperately trying to fill the void of Bale and Ramsey.
But the Bournemouth man no doubt breathed a sigh of relief early on as he was bailed out by captain Ashley Williams after a loose crossfield pass.
And, in the 10th minute, another youngster was thanking a member of the old guard for sparing his blushes as Wayne Hennessey pulled off a fine save to deny Cyrus Christie after Matt Smith was caught in possession on the edge of his own area.
After a nervy spell, Wales slowly grew into the game, with the experienced rearguard of Williams and James Chester firming things up at the back.
But, in truth, there was a desperate lack of quality on display from both sides, particularly at the business end of the pitch.
An ‘Icelandic clap’ midway through the opening half provided a muchneeded boost to what had largely been a flat atmosphere at the Aviva Stadium.
And there were still some robust challenges flying in, with Ben Davies earning a caution for fouling Harry Arter to ensure he will be suspended for the Denmark clash next month, while Kevin Long had earlier been booked for tripping Brooks, who was the subject of some early rough treatment.
Wales finally fashioned a shot on target after the half-hour mark as Tyler Roberts latched on to Connor Roberts’ driven cross, although the Leeds United striker’s effort trickled into the hands of Darren Randolph.
And, moments later, Hennessey gathered Shane Duffy’s header from a corner as the game briefly threatened to spark into life.
But there was nothing to ignite what had been a turgid first half, although Smith threw his body on the line to block Callum Robinson’s strike from 25 yards out five minutes before the break.
After the break, Wilson tried to get the visitors going with a jinking 30-yard run from his own half before being cynically brought down by James McClean.
Although, in truth, neither goalkeeper was made to break much
sweat.
But when Randolph was finally forced into action, he was a mere spectator before being forced to pick the ball out of his own net.
Cardiff City midfielder Harry Arter tripped Connor Roberts just outside his own box, and Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers had no hesitation in awarding Wales a free-kick. Step up Wilson.
The Liverpool youngster – currently on loan at Derby County – left Randolph stranded and scurled home the resulting free-kick, in similar fashion to the stunner he netted for the Rams against Manchester United, to put his side ahead.
Wilson’s effort clearly lifted Wales as their young guns started to fire, but Ireland finally started to throw caution to the wind and sent men forward. And their clearest opportunity fell to Burnley’s Hendrick who danced through the Wales defence before drilling at goal, although it was straight at Hennessey.
As the hosts threw bodies forward, space opened for Wales who almost put the game to bed as Smith fed Lawrence on the break, but the Derby man’s shot was well blocked.
From the resulting corner, Chester headed inches wide.
Lawrence, Tyler Roberts and Brooks all had chances as the game approached the final 10 minutes while substitute George Thomas went close at the death.
But, crucially, Wales were able to see out the game and make it two wins from three in the inaugural Nations League.
It means their destiny remains firmly in their own hands, as victory over Denmark in Cardiff next month would guarantee Wales top spot in their group along with promotion to League A and a shot at the play-offs to qualify for Euro 2020.
And it was all achieved without their two biggest stars of recent times, something that quite simply would have been deemed unthinkable not too long ago.