Wales Under 19s’ first game in nearly a year ended in a 0-0 draw against Hungary as neither side were able to break each other down in an entertaining stalemate at Bangor.
It was a physical and tight first half with both teams aiming to make an impression in this ‘mini’ tournament style group being held across North Wales.
Wales had the first opportunity of the game, Joel Cotterill’s corner deflected in the box and fell to James Crole at the back post who headed wide.
Hungary’s first chance came courtesy of a Dominik Kocsis free kick 25 yards out, the ball curled around the wall, but it was strongly saved by Cymru and West Brom keeper Ronnie Hollingshead to his right. The resulting corner nearly ended in a goal with Hungary captain Aron Dragoner’s header flashing wide of the post.
Full Match Coverage: https://www.faw.cymru/en/news/watch-live-cymru-vs-hungary/?back=/en/news/&pos=5
The greatest chance of the game arguably came in the 25th minute when Gabor Jurek freed Zsombor Gruber with a through ball. Gruber managed to get the shot away which was saved by Hollingshead. Jurek was there himself to meet the rebound, but he blasted over from close range. A warning and a lucky escape for Wales.
Hungary’s manager Zoltan Szélesi was extremely vocal on the sideline. Giving loud encouragement to the young Hungarians throughout.
Crole and his fellow forward Chris Popov of Leicester City worked hard up front but were unable to get through the Hungarians defence to close the first half.
Wales started brightly in the second half with Crole again looking lively up front, and nearly finding the net on two occasions.
Hungary played on the break, and Zalan Kallai had a decent opportunity with a shot that was hit over the bar. Before Kallai again being involved when he cut in from the left, producing a great save from Hollingshead, who was determined to maintain his clean sheet.
Wales fought back and after some lovely work in midfield from the substitute Jewitt-White, the ball fell to Cameron Congreve, he freed his fellow Swansea man Ben Lloyd who cut inside beautifully in the area, fooling two defenders before firing over on his right foot.
Hungary were starved from possession as Wales piled on the pressure. Ben Lloyd delivering many well-placed crosses on his left foot, one of which flashed across the six-yard box, with Chris Popov missing the opportunity to pounce at the back post.
There were bright performances in defence also with Ben Hammond and Zac Williams the captain commanding at the back.
The Hungarians threatened late on, but their efforts weren’t enough to trouble Hollingshead.
Crole won the ball in Hungary’s half before charging into the box, his cross fell to substitute Aaron James Bennett who scuffed his shot wide of the target.
In the end, neither side were able to find the net, with Rob Edwards’ men happy with a point to begin their campaign.
Wales: Ronnie Hollingshead (GK), Morgan Williams, Zac Williams ©, Ben Hammond, Kai Ludvisgen, Joel Cotterill, Joel Colwill (Harry Jewitt-White, 65), Ben Lloyd, Chris Popov (Morgan Wigley, 88), Cameron Congreve (Aaron James Bennett, 85), James Crole.
Bench: Lewis Ridd (GK), Scott Godden, Ben Purcell, Justin Hanks, Harry Jewitt-White, Zachary Caleb Bell, Murphy Bennett, Morgan Wigley, Aaron Bennett.
Yellow Cards: Joel Cotterill, Joel Colwill, Ben Lloyd.
Hungary: Ármin Pécsi (GK), János Bodnár (Balázs Bakti, 85), Patrik Kovacs, Aron Dragoner ©, Máté Tuboly, Zalán Kállai (Bendegúz Farkas, 85), Dominik Kocsis, Zsombor Gruber (Tamás Szücs, 90+3), Gábor Jurek (Attila Ákos Tarcson, 70), Marcell Berki, Levente Babós.
Bench: Szabolcs Mergl (GK), Norbert Kiss, Kirsztián Lisztes, Zoltán Nagy, Attila Ákos Tarcson, Hunor Horváth, Bendegúz Farkas, Balázs Bakti, Tamás Szücs.
Yellow Card: Máté Tuboly, Attila Ákos Tarcson
(Featured Image: Sam Eaden)
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