A first half to forget... Page does now as key
THE euphoria and excitement levels of the Red Wall rapidly evaporated as Wales were outplayed by the USA in the first-half of the World Cup meeting between the sides.
Fans were left shell-shocked as Rob Page’s men were alarmingly sloppy on their return to the big time, with pass after pass going wayward.
Ultimately, Wales could not cope with the USA’s press. The energy and enthusiasm of Gregg Berhalter’s side who are the second youngest behind Ghana at the tournament - was causing mayhem, and it ensured the Red Dragons desperately struggled to get a foothold in the contest.
Prior to the contest, Page stated he was playing Harry Wilson and Daniel James over Kieffer Moore to ensure they had more pace up front. In truth, it proved to be a tactical disaster.
“The way they played in the past in the games that I’ve seen, I thought we could play through the middle and play beyond their front three when they press. They changed the press,” said Page.
“The nine dropped in to the back of Ethan Ampadu. We didn’t get any of the players on the ball and we were getting wave after wave of attack, we couldn’t play 90 minutes like that.”
Wales’ inability to play out from the back left Wayne Hennessey with little option but to go direct when the ball came his way. On the rare occasions that the first ball was won by a man wearing red, the second ball almost exclusively went the way of the Americans. Cue more possession, and, subsequently, more attacks for Christian Pulisic and co.
“I’ve been a manager, afterwards you go ‘I shouldn’t have done that’.
He’ll (Page) be the first to say ‘I should’ve played Kieffer Moore’,” former Wales striker Dean Saunders said on TalkSport.
“Ethan Ampadu, playing in centre midfield instead of Joe Allen, we couldn’t get through their midfield because he’s a centre-back.
“I’m not having a go at him but it’s not his game, getting the ball off the back four.
“When we got the ball up front, Gareth Bale and Daniel James couldn’t get hold of the ball, we didn’t play one ball in behind them, and they just pinned us in for 45 minutes.”
The only saving grace for Wales was that their defence - largely a back five in the first-half given the tracking back Neco Williams and Connor Roberts were forced to do as a result of their side’s inability to retain possession was tight.
Indeed, they conceded from what was the USA’s only shot on target in the contest where Chelsea star Pulisic carved Wales open to tee up Tim Weah.
Page made the substitution that ultimately transformed the contest, with Moore replacing James ahead of the second-half. It took just two minutes for the Bournemouth forward to showcase his talents.
The 30-year-old’s tall frame was pivotal to his success in controlling the ball with his chest and subsequently bringing others into play which gave his side a platform to build from.
All of a sudden, Wales’ full-backs were finally able to get up the pitch which in turn eased the burden on the likes of Ampadu and Wilson in central positions. It also brought Aaron Ramsey and Bale into play and gave Hennessey the long ball option he needed.
“Second-half they went to a 3-4-3, Bale and Ramsey got either side of Kieffer Moore,” continued Saunders. “When the ball was going back to front, because Kieffer Moore’s 6ft 5, he’s getting hold of it and he knows where to run.
“He’s played non-league football so he’s got channel runs in him, he’s also good in the air and he’s full of confidence.”
Bale and Ramsey – so often the heroes for their country – were alarmingly off colour in the first-half but, as is regularly the case, they were key to Wales’ equaliser.
Brennan Johnson’s quick-thinking from a throw-in gave Ramsey space near the byline, and his pass to Bale proved too inviting for Walker Zimmerman who clattered Bale to concede a penalty.
“Let’s be honest, Ramsey and Bale, 10 per cent fit, we’ve wrapped them up
in cotton wool for the moment that happened,” said Saunders.
Page now has some huge calls to make ahead of what is realistically a must-win fixture next time out. England fully exposed Iran’s aerial vulnerability, something that Moore will no doubt be studying across the coming days.
The likes of Ampadu and Wilson looked spent in the latter stages of the 1-1 draw with the USA while Williams was withdrawn following a sublime shift. It appears unlikely that Page will ring the changes while it does not seem as though Joe Allen will be risked. The inclusion of Moore against Carlos Queiroz’s side appears inevitable though.
The pace of Johnson and James could be more than useful off the bench, particularly against a suspect Iranian backline, and Wales won’t be as sluggish from the outset on Friday as they were in the first 45 against the USA having quickly learned from a harsh lesson to earn themselves a point in their tournament opener.