Wales 1-0 Belarus: Dan James strike secures friendly victory
Daniel James’ fine strike gave Wales a narrow victory over Luxembourg in an experimental friendly.
The Manchester United youngster scored his second goal for Wales as he lit up a below capacity Cardiff City Stadium crowd.
It provides Ryan Giggs with a confidence-boosting win as they go into the midway stage of Euro qualifying three points off of an automatic spot.
Wales dominated possession and created a handful of chances but were still unable to create a further margin of victory over their lowly opponents.
Senior international debuts were given to Joe Morrell and Kieffer Moore as Ryan Giggs made five changes from Friday’s win over Azerbaijan.
Harry Wilson gave Wales their first chance as he curled an effort at Maksim Plotnikov following Joe Allen’s lay off.
Wales took the lead as rejuvenated Jonathan Williams threaded through Daniel James who cut inside the box before placing a shot past the Belarusian goalkeeper.
Williams’ midfield partner Joe Morrell had also played a part in the goal having retrieved possession, as he settled in well alongside fellow defensive midfielder Joe Allen.
Wideman James and Wilson were finding luck on the flanks as both created chances for their forward men.
Evgeni Yablonski had Belarus’ first real effort but his speculative shot was comfortably saved by Danny Ward.
Jonny Williams was entertaining the home crowd, instrumental in taking Wales forward in their attacks.
Wales were unable to add to James strike, despite their first-half dominance.
Debutant Kieffer Moore exchanged the ball well with Connor Roberts before glancing a header wide of Plotnikov’s goal.
Denis Polyakov had a rare opportunity for the visitors but his half-volley was smacked over the crossbar.
Substitute Gareth Bale uncharacteristically put his shot over the bar after Wilson’s neat low cross found the Madrid star in a good position.
Captain for the evening Joe Allen went marginally wide as his shot narrowly missed the post.
Wales: Danny Ward, Ben Davies (Chris Gunter 90), Chris Mepham (Tom Lockyer 76), Joe Rodon, Joe Allen (C), Harry Wilson (Will Vaulks 87), Kieffer Moore (Sam Vokes 74), Connor Roberts, Joe Morrell, Jonny Williams, Daniel James (Gareth Bale 49)
Belarus: Maksim Plotnikov, Denis Polyakov, Sergei Politevich (C), Yuri Kovalev (Max Ebong 45), Nikolai Zolotov, Ivan Bakhar (Vladislav Klimovic 84) Maksim Skavysh (Kirill Pechenin 76), Nikolai Signevich (Stanislav Dragun 70), Evgeni Yablonski (Ivan Maevski 45), Dmitri Baga (Igor Stasevich 70), Zakhar Volkov
