Rob Page reveals mood in changing room after Wales draw with Armenia
Wales head coach Rob Page on the touchline. Wales v Armenia in a UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifier at Cardiff City Stadium on the 16th June 2023. Credit: Lewis Mitchell
Rob Page admitted his side were disappointed with their 1-1 draw away to Armenia.
Wales needed to win their last two qualifying fixtures to gain an automatic spot at next summer’s European Championship, but were held by a stubborn Armenia. Croatia won their match against Latvia, and now Wales must beat Turkey, and hope for a slip-up from Croatia.
“We’re all disappointed, we’re all low in the changing room,” said Page speaking to Sgorio.
“We threw everything at them towards the end, we threw as many attacking players as we could on the pitch” added the Wales manager.
It was a poor start for Wales, conceding the opening goal inside five minutes, but Page believed his side took control after a poor start.
“First half after the goal we grew in to the game, and I think we controlled the game first half, but it was the worst possible start” said Page.
“We didn’t come out of the traps like we should have done and it’s backs against the wall, and you’re fighting to get in the game and I think we did first half” added the 49-year-old.
Wales were given a helping hand in first half added time when Nair Tiknizyan deflected the ball into his own net, but they struggled to capitalise on the opportunity.
The next fixture will be the final qualifying fixture at home to Turkey on Tuesday night, with Wales needing a victory and results to go their way elsewhere if they are to qualify for the Euro’s.
Page said full focus is now on Tuesday’s game.
He said: “The aim for us now is to finish on a high, we can even look as far forward as March, we want to keep the momentum going, and finish on a positive performance on Tuesday.”
