Key talking points from Wales’ 1-0 victory over Mexico
Cardiff, Wales 13/10/19. General View of the Cardiff City Stadium. Wales v Croatia UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier at the Cardiff City Stadium. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD/Alamy Live News.
Wales picked up a low-key victory over Mexico at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Kieffer Moore scored the only goal to keep confidence high amongst the squad ahead of Tuesday’s qualifier with the Czech Republic.
Below are the key talking points from tonight’s friendly win:
Embed from Getty ImagesA magnificent win for a second-string Wales
Mexico bar Raul Jimenez were at full-strength tonight. The likes of Andrés Guardado, Guillermo Ochoa, Hirving Lozano and Jesús Corona all featured.
It made the result all the more impressive given that was a completely different 11 for Wales from the side which lost to Belgium.
El Tri were unbeaten in 10-matches and lost just once in 17, which was a 4-0 defeat to Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
The game was always going to be close with Mexico keeping five clean sheets but Wales showed that they could break their resolve with an early Moore strike.
Embed from Getty ImagesA new role for Jonny Williams?
Jonny Williams played the unfamiliar role of wing-back for Wales this evening.
Over the years for Wales, he’s been more of a ten for Wales rather than a defender but he put in a decent shift.
Chris Gunter the usual full-back for Wales helped guide Williams through the match at centre-back.
Williams’ made a great sliding tackle early in the match, highlighting his defensive qualities.
He also was involved in Wales’ goal as he set up his teammate Kieffer Moore.
Embed from Getty ImagesWayne Hennessey to start on Tuesday?
Playing his first senior match in five-months, Wayne Hennessey was assured as ever for Wales.
The Crystal Palace shot-stopper made a number of important saves and by keeping a clean sheet, he has forced Rob Page into thinking of who will don the gloves against the Czech Republic on Tuesday.
Embed from Getty ImagesMatthew Smith is sublime
Doncaster Rovers loanee Matt Smith put in a superb performance this evening and it could be said it was his best in a Wales shirt.
The 21-year-old sprayed a number of good passes across the midfield and drove Wales forward.
Smith has a bright future ahead of him and expect him to build on his 13 caps.
Embed from Getty ImagesMatondo has potential to be a fine player
The Stoke City loanee had a strong showing tonight. A number of crosses almost found a teammate and he looked a danger when Wales went on the counter-attack.
If Matondo can just work on when to play the final pass and gain confidence in the final third to beat his man and go for the shot, he’ll go far.
He’s still only 20-years-old so he still has plenty of time to develop and with plenty of creative players in the national team, he is in the best place to learn from.
