Wales need to be more clinical says Craig Knight
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - 17 MAY 2023: Wales' Josh Beecher during the 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship Group A fixture between Hungary & Wales at the Hidegkuti Nandor Stadium, Budapest, Hungry. (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
Craig Knight says his side need to be more clinical after they fell to a 3-0 loss at the hands of Hungary in their opening group-stage match at the 2023 U17 Euros.
Cymru qualified, for what is their first Uefa men’s intermediate tournament since 1981, without tasting defeat, but saw their eight-game unbeaten run ended by a less wasteful Hungary side.
Wales had a string of chances early in the game, the best of which saw Iwan Morgan strike the post midway through the first half with the game still locked at 0-0.
“It’s a harsh result really when you think of the chances, but that can happen in international football,” Knight said.
“It’s an unforgiving level. If you don’t take your chances when you’re on top, ultimately you get punished.
“We could have been a little bit more clinical when it came to getting our shots off. A little bit quicker in and around the box, certainly in the second half.”
Two of those key first-half chances fell to Joe Hatch, but he was unable to head the ball past Hungary shot-stopper Aaron Yaakobisvili.
“I had that 20th-minute header, I should have connected with it and it should have gone in,” Hatch said reflecting on the match. “But the game is the game, on another day I score that. The game could have gone differently, but the outcome is the outcome at the end of the day.”
Having controlled long portions of the first half, Wales conceded on the brink of half-time when Benedek Simon spun Brayden Clarke before squeezing a shot under Kit Margeston.
The goal, which came largely against the run of play, sent the raucous home supporters, who needed little encouragement, into delirium.
Two quick-fire goals from Szilárd Szabó and Ádám Umathum saw Hungary put the game to bed late in the second half to send the 3,500+ crowd home happy.
Knight believes that the experience of playing in such an intimating atmosphere will aid his players’ development in the future.
“The first goal was obviously going to lift the crowd, they made for a fantastic atmosphere. We spoke about trying to not give their players any encouragement to lift the crowd. I think we did that at times.
“The two goals in quick succession almost kills you. I’ve seen games like that go to 4/5/6-0. But the boys dug in and actually finished the game quite strongly.
“It probably doesn’t feel like it now, but moving forward for these boys, playing in front of a crowd like that is going to be great for their development. We could have made better decisions at times, but they are young players. This is all part of the learning process.”
Hatch, who is yet to make his senior debut for Plymouth Argyle, was in full agreement with his coach after the game.
“It was quite a scrappy goal to concede, we weren’t too happy about it,” the 16-year-old added.
“We didn’t panic but we felt the pressure. We regrouped and went into half-time with quite a positive attitude.
“It’s obviously quite a bit different to club football. It’s a big step for us. Most of us haven’t played in front of a crowd like that before. We tried to use the atmosphere for us, rather than against us.”
Wales will have an opportunity to bounce back on from this defeat when they take on the Republic of Ireland at the Pancho Aréna on Saturday.
Colin O’Brien’s side will also be looking to kickstart their campaign having lost their opening game 5-1 against Poland.
“The games in tournaments come thick and fast,” said Knight. “We’ve quickly got an opportunity to put those wrongs right. We’re looking forward to it, but we will need to be more clinical. When the chances come you’re way, you’ve got to be more clinical.”
