Cymru suffered a 1-0 defeat to Sweden on Thursday night, their first of two games against the Scandinavian side.
Sweden looked strong throughout the 90 minutes, and it was a penalty from Emmanuel Tannor that proved to be the difference.
However, Cymru can learn a lot from this game, as they look to bounce back against the same opposition on Sunday afternoon.
The game was only four minutes old when the first chance arose, and it was Cymru who were almost the makers of their own downfall.
The ball was worked back to Ollie Camis, but Swedish striker Emmanuel Tannor pressed all the way, with Camis hitting the ball straight at the forward, but luckily for those of a Welsh persuasion, the ball flashed past the post.
The opening stages were pretty even, but there was a slight concern when the ball would be played back to Camis, with the Swedish forward line ready to press and harry at any opportunity.
Cymru recovered and had two chances in quick succession. Tanatswa Nyakuhwa picked the ball up on the left and tried to curl his effort into the far corner, but the ball deflected narrowly passed the post.
From the resulting corner, the ball made its way to Isacc Jefferies on the edge of the box. His effort looked destined for the far corner, but Elis Bishesari was at full stretch to make a stunning save.
As the first half wound to a close, it was Sweden who were on top. Captain Tannor did well to keep the ball in play and cut it back to Ture Sandberg, but Camis managed to parry the ball away from danger.
There wasn’t much quality in the first half, but there were certainly signs that the game could open up in the second half.
Rob Edwards elected to make ten changes at the break, with only midfielder Dan Barton keeping his place at the start of the second half.
It didn’t take long for the new players to be put to the test, as Jeremy Agbonifo cut in from the right to unleash a vicious shot that whistled over the bar.
Sweden were certainly doing all the pushing, and they were presented with the perfect opportunity to go ahead, as the referee gave a penalty after Agbonifo was bundled over in the box.
Up stepped Tannor, and he sent James Pradic the wrong way to put the visitors ahead.
Sweden never looked in danger of surrendering their lead for vast swathes of the second half, but Wales did fashion out their best chance with 20 minutes remaining.
Trey George poked a ball through to Lewis Koumas in the box, who was in a good amount of space, but the forward shanked his effort wide of the mark.
Koumas was certainly the liveliest of the Welsh players. He streaked through on goal after a wonderful piece of skill got him away from the Swedish midfield. As he bared down on goal, Edvin Tellgren executed a well-timed challenge to thwart the Welsh number ten.
There was certainly more initiative and purpose to the Welsh attack in the closing minutes, but the Swedish defence stood tall to the challenge, and fully deserved the win.
Player of the Match – Lewis Koumas
Will Spiers deserves a mention for a good first half performance, but the introduction of Koumas at the break ignited Wales’ attacking form. He didn’t score, but there were many positives to his performance tonight.
Cymru
Ollie Camis (GK) (James Pradic 46’), Scott Godden (Thierry Katsukunya 46’), George Abbott © (Theo Robinson 46’), Isacc Jefferies (Trey George 46’), Dan Barton (Daniel Watts 70’), Omari Benjamin (Lewis Koumas 46’), Will Spiers (Alex Williams 46’), Daniel Watts (Jonathan Bland 46’), Tanatswa Nyakuhwa (Japhet Matondo 46’), Calum Aguis (William Andiyapan 46’), Zachary Willis (Cole Fleming 46’)
Unused Subs: Jake Dennis
Sweden
Elis Bishesari (GK), Sigge Jansson, Malcolm Jeng, Marco Olsson Valdés, Emmanuel Tannor © (Malïk Mokédé 84’), Elison Makolli, Anes Cardaklija (Edvin Tellgren 74’), Ture Sandberg (Hugo Aviander 84’), Jeremy Agbonifo (Kenan Bilalovic 62’), Alex Hall (Alexander Hughes 74’), Taha Ayari (Gideon Granström 62’)
Unused Subs: Marcus Pettersson, André Alvarez Perez
Goals: Emmanuel Tannor (59’ p)
Yellow Cards: Anes Cardaklija (54’), Marco Olsson Valdés (90’)
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