Wales were handed their first defeat of their U21 European Championship qualifying campaign, as they were downed 2-0 by Denmark.
Tobias Bech opened the scoring five minutes in, and despite Wales pressing well throughout the game, Oliver Nielsen headed in the all-important a minute from time. Cian Ashford did score with the last kick of the game, bit it was nothing more than a consolation goal.
The result means Wales drop down to second in Group I behind Denmark, but only on head-to-head.
Perhaps surprisingly, manager Matty Jones elected to make four changes from the side that defeated Iceland last Thursday.
Owen Beck, Eli King, Joe Taylor, and Joel Cotterill all came in for Oli Hammond, Thomas Davies, Rubin Colwill, and Josh Thomas.
It was the worst possible start to the game for Wales, who found themselves behind only five minutes into the contest.
Oliver Sørensen brought the ball under control well before feeding in Tobias Bech. The winger fended off the pressure from Joe Low before walloping the ball past Ed Beach.
Despite the bad start, Wales built back into the game well and created some good chances of their own.
Luke Harris hit the bar from a corner, while Charlie Savage’s shot from distance was turned round the post by keeper Filip Jørgensen.
The game had a real good ebb and flow. Both would dominate for a stage, before that domination would flip over.
After the flurry of Wales chances, Denmark gained a little more control and had a good chance through William Osula, but after bringing the ball down expertly, could only fire wide.
It would be Wales who would end the half the stronger. Joe Taylor beat the offside trap well before baring down on goal, only for Jørgensen to make another fine save.
A lot of things to like from Wales in the first half, but not for the first time this campaign, they found themselves behind at the break.
While the first half was entertaining, the second certainly wasn’t for large phases.
Jones elected to make three changes at the break: with Oli Hammond, Rubin Colwill, and Chris Popov coming onto the field.
Making three changes at the half may have surprised a few fans, but all three brought a good energy to the game. Popov in particular looked bright.
But for all their energy, there were no chances created for Wales or for Denmark. Wales did have success down the wings, but they couldn’t carve out a cross or pass into the box.
If there was to be a goal in the dying embers, there may be an element of luck to it. Denmark almost had that rub of the green, with the ball bobbling in the box to Victor Lind, who was in acres of space. However, he fired erratically over the bar, to the frustration of the Danes on the pitch and on the bench.
Only a handful of minutes later, Denmark would be celebrating as they found their second and the game winner. Ed Beach failed to gather the ball from a corner, and that allowed captain Oliver Nielsen to head in at the near post.
The Newport crowd did have something to celebrate as Wales did score in added time. Colwill’s free kick was palmed up by Jørgensen, and Cian Ashford was alert enough to turn in the rebound. That would be, however, the final kick of the game.
A disappointing night for Wales, but they remain level on top of the table now with Denmark on eight points.
Player of the Match: Luke Harris
Harris was certainly the best player in a red shirt today. While he doesn’t have a goal to show for it, his pace and his skill was clear for all to see today. He can certainly help carry this team to a major tournament.
Wales
Ed Beach, Fin Stevens ©, Joe Low, Matt Baker, Owen Bevan (Cian Ashford 77’), Owen Beck, Charlie Savage (Charlie Crew 85’), Eli King (Oli Hammond 46’), Luke Harris, Joe Taylor (Chris Popov 46’), Joel Cotterill (Rubin Colwill 46’)
Unused Subs: Ronnie Hollingshead, Jay Williams, Thomas Davies, Charlie Crew, Harry Leeson
Goals: Cian Ashford (90’)
Yellows: Owen Beck (34’)
Denmark
Filip Jørgensen, Thomas Kristensen, Lucas Hey, Patrick Dorgu, Tobias Bech (Jakob Breum Martinsen 90’), William Osula (Christian Rasmussen 78’), Mathias Kvistgaarden (Victor Lind 78’), Oliver Nielsen ©, David Kruse, Oliver Sørensen (Oscar Fraulo 67’), Tochi Chukwuani
Unused Subs: Andreas Jungdal, Alexander Busch, Filip Bundgaard, Jonas Jensen-Abbew, Aksel Adelgaard
Goals: Tobias Bech (5’), Oliver Nielsen (89’)
Yellows: Oliver Nielsen (90’)
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