Neco shines but it’s no Turkish Delight for Wales

Despite taking an early lead in Cardiff, Wales were pegged back by Türkiye and now face the play-offs if they are to reach Germany in 2024.

Wales boss Robert Page started with Nathan Broadhead of Ipswich Town ahead of Bournemouth’s Kieffer Moore. Harry Wilson, who had impressed in the home win over Croatia, also made the starting XI along with Brennan Johnson of Spurs, as Page sought pace and movement in the final third.

At the back, Luton Town’s Tom Lockyer replaced the suspended Chris Mepham. Surprisingly, Mepham’s Bournemouth clubmate David Brooks was only on the bench.

Following Wales’ unconvincing draw away to Armenia, this was always likely to be a do or die game, when even victory might still not be enough depending on events elsewhere.

In a lively opening spell, Jordan James was prominent for the hosts. Nathan Broadhead also fired narrowly wide.

But it was Neco Wiliams who really brought the game to life, firing past Uğurcan Çakır in the Turkish goal after just nine minutes.

The pace and movement of Broadhead, Wilson and Johnson were proving too hot for the visitors. Conor Roberts and Neco were potent weapons on the flanks.

The Turkish were clearly rattled by all this, and a series of unpleasant exchanges saw a yellow card for Johnson, followed by a lunge on the Spurs man by Fenerbahçe  defender Samet Akaydin which might have resulted in a spot kick. Referee Matej Jug gave a corner though.

The Spurs ace went tumbling again on 29 minutes. Yet again the Slovenian official saw no reason to point to the spot.

Manchester United’s Altay Bayindir took over in the visiting goal as the Turks faced another Welsh corner.

Muhammed Kerem Aktürkoğlu carved out a rare Turkish shot on goal as the interval beckoned, but the response from Wales was another effort from Johnson which the United stand-in managed to hold.

It had been a terrific show from the Welsh, who continued to chase the dream. But the news from Croatia was not good, Ante Budimir putting the home side ahead on 43 minutes. It would be interesting to see the impact that goal would have on the atmosphere in Cardiff.

Wales continued to take the game to their visitors, but the mood in the stands seemed more low key thanks to the score in Zagreb. A save from Danny Ward kept the lead intact as Türkiye sought to capitalise.

Page replaced Broadhead with Brooks as the visitors saw more of the ball. Chances at either end but really, it was all about Zagreb now.

The Turkish pressure brought its reward on 68 minutes as a harmless looking challenge by skipper Ben Davies on Kenan Yildiz led to a penalty, which Yusuf Yaziki slotted home with composure. As tempers rose around the pitch, Yusuf Sari drilled a fierce drive over.

With the visitors looking confident and threating, Daniel James entered the fray to replace Harry Wilson. Johnson clipped the ball into the net but was clearly offside.

Kieffer Moore joined the proceedings with five minutes to make an impact.

This was not to be for Wales though. A stirring closing rendition of the anthem from the stands sounded like the last waltz at a wedding, as the news came in that Croatia had scraped their way past Armenia to leave Wales with the play offs to navigate next year.

Wales 1

Türkiye 1

Att. 32,291

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt