Wales to face Panama in friendly match
WALES will look to start the road to Euro 2020 with the visit of World Cup-bound Panama as eyes turn to the blooding of the next generation.
Having already secured a prestigious friendly clash with France in Paris next month, the FAW have now confirmed a second friendly fixture for November with the Central American qualifiers.
And there have been suggestions Wales will use the Cardiff City Stadium fixture to give chances to some of the emerging talent in order to ready themselves for the next qualifying campaign, meaning the likes of Ben Woodburn and Ethan Amapdu could win caps in the November 14 clash.
The fixture could also prove to be manager Chris Coleman’s farewell, the game potentially his final act as national team manager with the 47-year-old’s future in the role still not settled.
Coleman had previously stated he would be ready to walk away at the end of the 2018 World Cup journey, although he has since had second thoughts and remains undecided on whether to end his six year reign that has taken in the historic run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals.
As revealed by WalesOnline, Coleman met with FAW chiefs this week to start informal talks over his future with a new contract agreement not being ruled out at this stage.
Regardless, Coleman will be in charge for both the games against France at the Stade de France on Friday November 10, as well as the first ever meeting with Panama four days later.
Wales are thought to have had other options for the second game – with Colombia one name rumoured as an opponent – but it is believed the FAW were wary about the strength of potential visitors if some of the next generation were to get a taste of senior action.
Panama are ranked 49th in the world and reached Russia, their first World Cup finals, when they beat Costa Rica in their final CONCACAF qualifier to finish third, for which a public holiday was declared.
NEWPORT CO v MANSFIELD
NEWPORT COUNTY will be looking to get back to winning ways this afternoon, with Mansfield Town the visitors to Rodney Parade.
The Exiles want to bounce back after Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat by Colchester United – their first home defeat since March.
It was a costly defeat that also saw captain Joss Labadie forced off early with a hamstring injury and it means he is set for a spell on the sidelines.
And boss Mike Flynn is expecting another tough encounter today.
He said: “It’s going to be an interesting game and I think it’ll come down to who takes their chances more. They’ve got some very good players, but so do we, so let’s get back to winning ways.
Despite that defeat, Newport are still currently sixth in the division and four points above Steve Evans’ Mansfield, who are 12th.