Two goals from Grant-Leon Ranos helped Armenia to a 4-2 over Cymru at Cardiff City Stadium. Despite taking an early lead Rob Page’s side fell behind and were not able to find a way back into the game.
Dan James opened the scoring in the ninth minute after Cymru had put Armenia under pressure from the start. Nine minutes later however and Lucas Zelarayan levelled the scores. In the 29th minute Armenia took the lead thanks to Grant-Leon Ranos. Despite late pressure from Cymru it was the visitors leading at the break.
Despite efforts to break down Armenia they extended their lead in the 65th minute. Ranos grabbing his second of the game. Harry Wilson pulled one back in the 73rd minute only for Zelarayan to add Armenia’s fourth in 75th minute. Cymru fightback was made hard after Kieffer Moore was sent off in the 78th minute.
Cymru now head to Turkiye on Monday as they look to bonce back against the new Group D leaders.
Dan James played a fine ball down the left into the path of Harry Wilson. Wilson lifted a cross towards Moore, but Mkrtchyan was able to head away.
It was the same three who linked up again shortly after with Wilson’s cross just above Moore. Connor Roberts sent the resulting throw into the box and Moore’s header went out for a corner.
A quick piece of counter attacking play saw Cymru open the scoring. As Armenia looked to the ref for a free kick Cymru played on and Ethan Ampadu sent the ball to Johnson. Johnson ran into the ball and played a ball across goal where Dan James rushed in the score from close range.
In the 18th minute the visitors were level. Finding space on the left with Nair Tiknizyan. He had time to play the ball across to Zelarayan who found the top corner with a fine effort.
The goal gave confidence to the visitors who began to patiently pass the ball around the back. When they had the chance to attack, they did so with pace.
They soon had their reward as in the 29 minute they took the lead. Eduard Spertsyan putting in across and Grant-Leon Ranos getting between the Welsh centre backs to head in.
Brennen Johnson then forced a save from the keeper with his shot from the edge of the box as Cymru looked to level.
A good ball over the top found the run of Ramsey. Ramsey was forced wide but was able to cut the ball back to Moore. Moore hit a low shot that was saved.
Half Time: Cymru 1-2 Armenia
An early free kick gave Cymru the chance to level early in the second half when Dan James was fouled on the edge of the box. Wilson whipped the ball to the far post where Rodon headed over.
Good work from James allowed him to get the ball across goal to Moore but his effort close up was saved.
Armenia were happy to sit and try to counter, which they did with pace and numbers. Chris Mepham making an important tackle to stop a quick counter.
The visitors made a double change, and the fresh legs give them a new impetus. Grant-Leon Ranos being sent in on goal to poke past Ward to extend their lead.
Rob Page responded with a double change with Neco Williams and Joe Morrell coming on. Another sub soon follow as David Brooks came on to a standing ovation.
The changes had the impact as Roberts sent a throw into the box. Moore head it down and Wilson swept it in from close range.
Straight after at the other end though and Ranos lashed a powerful shot that had Ward beat but came out off the cross bar.
Just two minutes later and Zelarayan hit a rocket shot into the top corner to restore the visitors two goal lead.
It got worse when Kieffer Moore was shown a red card. After a tussle in the box the Armenia keeper went down as if kicked. The crowd and the Welsh bench were furious with the decision as it appeared Moore did little to warrant a red card.
Cymru pushed to get back into the game but Armenia sat deep and restricted the space between their lines.
Cymru: Danny Ward (G), Ben Davies, Chris Mepham, Joe Rodon (Neco Williams 67), Harry Wilson (Tom Bradshaw 82), Brennen Johnson (David Brooks 70), Aaron Ramsey © (Joe Morrell 67), Kieffer Moore, Connor Roberts, Ethan Ampadu, Dan James (Nathan Broadhead 82).
Goals: Dan James 9, Harry Wilson 73.
Yellow Cards: Chris Mepham 70, Neco Williams 85.
Red Cards: Kieffer Moore 78.
Armenia: Ognjen Chancharevich (G), Andre Calisir (Varazdat Haroyan 62), Styopa Mkrtchyan, Ugochukwu Iwu, Eduard Spertsyan ©, Lucas Zelarayan (Norberto Briasco 75), Tigran Barseghyan (Vahan Bichakhchyan 62), Grant-Leon Ranos (Artur Serobyan 88), Artak Dashyan, Nair Tiknizyan.
Goals: Lucas Zelarayan 18, 75, Grant-Leon Mamedova 29, 66.
Yellow Cards: Grant-Leon Ranos 67, Nair Tiknizyan 70, Ognjen Chancharevich 78, Styopa Mkrtchyan 84, Norberto Briasco 90+6.
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