Wales player ratings v Denmark: ‘Crucial’ 7/10 as two 5/10’s scored in defeat
NEWPORT, WALES - 20 NOVEMBER 2023: Wales Cian Ashford scores his sides first goal during the European Under-21 Championship 2025 qualifier match against Denmark u21 at Rodney Parade on the 20th November 2023. (Pic by Ashley Crowden/FAW)
Wales’ U21s suffered their first defeat of their European Championship qualifying campaign, as Denmark left Newport with a 2-1 win.
Tobias Bech had put the Danes in front early on, but they wouldn’t score again until the 89th minute, when Oliver Nielsen headed in from a corner.
Cian Ashford did score with the final kick of the game, but it was nothing more than a consolation goal for Wales.
We rated each of Wales’ players who took part in the match against Denmark. Let’s take a look at how they performed.
Ed Beach (5/10)
Beach is a goalkeeper who demands a lot of himself, and I’m sure he would be disappointed with some aspects of his game. With the ball at his feet, I thought he was great, but he could have done better with the first goal, and his decision to come out for the second goal was rash.
Fin Stevens (6/10)
Did well first half and managed to get forward well. Second half wasn’t able to get up the pitch as much due to how Denmark were set up. A solid outing from the captain.
Joe Low (7/10)
Another good display from Low. Critics will say he could have done better on the first goal, but I thought he was great. The way he dealt with a physical threat like William Osula was outstanding and the way he can play with the ball at his feet his crucial to how this team plays as a whole.
Matt Baker (6/10)
Was really impressed with Baker aerially. Didn’t really put a foot wrong in the game, but paired with Low, they are a very good and consistent defensive partnership.
Owen Bevan (6/10)
Looked good as part of a back five and also filtered into the midfield if and when required. Good on the ball, especially as part of this ball playing defence.
Owen Beck (6/10)
Very similar to Stevens. Going forward in the first half I thought he was great. The linkup play with the forward line was good but did leave some space in behind him at times. He will be an important cog in the rest of this campaign.
Eli King (6/10)
Didn’t do anything wrong in particular. Maybe struggled as part of a two against a three-man Danish midfield. But overall, a solid outing for the Morecambe player.
Charlie Savage (6/10)
Had really good spells in the first half. He would often spray the ball all over the pitch at will, and certainly wasn’t scared to come forward with the ball either. Went missing a little bit in the second half, but that wasn’t his fault.
Luke Harris (7/10)
So electric. The moves he made to get in behind, the way he can glide over the field, this man has got it all. He can shoot, he can pass; it was all on show. I think it’s integral that he goes out on loan. We’ve seen what consistent senior football has done for Low and Savage. I think Harris would benefit greatly from a loan in the Football League.
Joe Taylor (6/10)
Was impressed by Taylor’s first half stint. Was a willing runner for the rest of the attackers and always seemed like he had a yard of pace on his marker. A little surprising seeing him go off at the break.
Joel Cotterill (6/10)
Was transitioning throughout the first half as one of the forward line and the midfield. Like King, didn’t do anything majorly wrong, but I can see why Jones wanted to go with something different after the break.
Substitutions
Oli Hammond (6/10)
Really energetic when he came on the field. The way he pressed was something to behold. He never gave a Danish player a moment’s rest in the middle of the park; he was right on top of them.
Rubin Colwill (5/10)
I thought he showed a lot of aggression when he came on at half time, a side we haven’t seen much of with Colwill. Tried to get involved but found it a little tricky against the Danish defence. Good free kick to set up the goal.
Chris Popov (7/10)
Off the bench and straight away used his pace to stretch the defence. Ran in behind the entire second half and caused Danish defenders to be in places where they didn’t want to be. Hopefully he can have a run of games at club level now.
Cian Ashford (6/10)
Didn’t have much time to make an impact but was alert to score the goal on the rebound.
Charlie Crew (5/10)
Was only on for five minutes, but he failed to shepherd out the ball successfully and conceded the corner which Denmark scored from. Still young and he will be a captain of this team in a few years.
