Wales 1-0 Czech Republic: James header gives Wales lift-off
Ten-man Wales claimed a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic in a nervy encounter at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Dan James’ header ten minutes from time gave Rob Page’s side their first win in 2022 World Cup qualifying and a first victory over Czechia.
Both sides were reduced to ten-men with Patrick Schik and Connor Roberts being given their marching orders by referee Ovidiu Hațegan.
The game only had a few key chances and it was Wales who were able to deliver the decisive blow which decided the match.
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The Czechs began the match with a confident look about themselves as they enjoyed having more of the ball.
An early warning sign was sent to the Welsh defence as the visitors broke into the box which saw Jantko draw a save out of Danny Ward.
A few minutes later Jantko skimmed the post with a well-hit left-footed shot. His presence was unsettling the Welsh defence and this showed as he opened up them up again to hit a shot at the side netting.
The Wales attack was lacking in creativity throughout the first-half and when they did go forward their crosses were lacking an aerial threat.
Wales then found a creative spark and almost took the lead through Bale. A well-floated cross from Neco Williams found the Wales skipper but his touch at goal was well-saved by Tomáš Vaclík.
The Czechs were undeterred by Wales’ chance however and put more pressure onto Ward’s goal. Jantko once again involved found Schik who laced an effort at the Leicester City goalkeeper.
Towards stoppage time, Dan James collided with Tomáš Souček in the box, though the referee didn’t think it was worthy of a penalty.
The first-half was a slow tempo affair so the red card of Schik brought some much-needed excitement into the game.
An attacking free-kick from Vladimír Darida was well gathered by Danny Ward however it was the aftermath that prompted a red card.
Roberts and Schik tussled in the box and it was evident that the Bayer Leverkusen forward had pushed Roberts in the face which forced the referee to send him off.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, it was the visitors who almost drew first blood. James Lawrence made a goal-saving tackle to deny Lukáš Provod who had rounded Ward but couldn’t get past the last line of defence.
Embed from Getty ImagesAt the hour mark, Czech players appealed for a penalty as Lawrence collided with Provod but their protests were waved away.
Despite the man advantage, there were obvious gaps in the Wales defence which the away side was looking to exploit.
They did have their wish in the last fifteen, as Roberts the culprit in the first red card, had been booked in the squabble with Schik, was ejected from the field of play with a second yellow card.
The Swansea City right-back led with his arm in an aerial duel with Tomáš Souček with the referee deeming it to be a second bookable offence.
Wales reacted in the best possible manner to the red card by breaking the deadlock through the tireless Dan James.
Bale delivered an inch-perfect cross for James to show great determination and leapt high to power a header past Vaclik.
Wales had to weather the storm in stoppage time and Rodon made a decisive call into action.
A low cross fell to the feet of Ondřej Čelůstka who had the whole goal to aim at but his shot was obstructed by Rodon who made the all-important block and allow Wales to claim the victory.
Wales: Danny Ward, Chris Mepham (Kieffer Moore, 55), James Lawrence, Joe Rodon, Connor Roberts, Harry Wilson, Ethan Ampadu; Joe Morrell, Neco Williams, Daniel James, Gareth Bale.
Goals: Dan James, 81′
Yellow Cards: Connor Roberts 46, 75, James Lawrence 53′
Red Cards: Connor Roberts 75′
Czech Republic: Tomáš Vaclík, Vladimír Coufal (Matej Vydra, 86), Ondřej Čelůstka, Ondřej Kúdela (Antonin Barak, 87) Jan Bořil, Tomáš Souček, Tomáš Holeš, Jakub Jankto (Lukas Masopust, 83) Vladimír Darida (C), Lukáš Provod (Pavel Kaderabek, 83) Patrik Schick.
Red Card: Patrik Schik 46′
Recap the action from the Cardiff City Stadium here:
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