“ AGONY FOR RYAN GIGGS “
Fri Nov 16, 2018 10:25 pm
Wales 1-2 Denmark: Agony for Ryan Giggs' young side as Danes stage smash and grab Nations League victory
Friday 16th November 2018
Gareth Bale scored for Wales, but it wasn't to be enough in the Nations League
Gareth Bale scored for Wales, but it wasn't to be enough in the Nations League
Wales' hopes of joining the big guns in the next Uefa Nations League were dashed as Denmark staged a Cardiff City Stadium smash and grab raid.
Goals by Nicolai Jorgensen and Martin Braithwaite were enough to secure top spot for the Danes, giving them a victory they scarcely deserved.
Gareth Bale - who else - did pull one back for Wales right at the end, but despite a rip-roaring finale Ryan Giggs' side were just unable to secure the result their fans craved.
Wales, roared on throughout by their magnificent fans, gave everything to the cause and desperately tried to pull something out of the bag during a rip-roaring finale.
Gareth Bale of Wales is tackled by Henrik Dalsgaard (Image: Chris
But it wasn't to be and Denmark managed to hang on to ensure it is they, not Wales, who will be playing against the likes of France and Spain next time this tournament takes place.
It was a disappointing way for Giggs' last meaningful match in his first year in charge to turn out. Wales go to Albania for a friendly on Tuesday, but this was the game that counted.
However, Wales have made progress under Giggs' watch in 2018 and there is a plethora of young talent, many of them on show in this game, to wow the fans when the Euro qualifiers kick in next year.
The draw for that tournament takes place in early December and Wales will be hopeful of qualifying for the finals again. Giggs' Wales were always a work in progress this year as he put his own stamp on the side, picked his own players, adopted his own tactics.
The real business starts next year and these youngsters who have given the team fresh impetus will be better for the Nations League experience they have just gone through.
In the end Denmark proved just too good over two games, there is no shame in that. But Wales will give anyone a game come the Euros and they'll quickly get over this temporary setback.
After the experiment of Spain at the Principality Stadium last month it was back to the real thing - a proper competitive game in front of a rocking and capacity Cardiff City Stadium.
Knowing it was pretty much a case of win or bust to top the group, Giggs really went for it with perhaps his most adventurous team selection yet. Leeds teenager Tyler Roberts was surprisingly chosen to lead the line, with Aaron Ramsey pushed deeper next to Joe Allen and Gareth Bale flitting about in a free role just in front.
Right from the start Wales went for the jugular, Bale having a ferocious drive tipped aside by Kasper Schmeichel and James Chester heading wide, when he really should have scored, following smart approach work by Ramsey and David Brooks.
A dazzling Brooks run down the right lifted the crowd again, before a beautiful tiki-taka move involving Ramsey, Brooks and Lawrence saw Bale agonisingly head centimetres wide from Connor Roberts' cross.
Wales were very much in the ascendancy, but at international level you can be punished in an instance and that's what happened just before half-time as the Danes began to finally get a foothold in the game and started to look menacing themselves going forward.
Welsh veteran Chris Gunter had just come on for the injured Paul Dummett, filling in at left-back and equalling Neville Southall's 92-match appearance record - a truly phenomenal achievement.
Adrenaline doubtless running, Gunter quickly rampaged forward but Denmark won the ball back and countered into the gap left down his side. Ashley Williams was dragged out of position to cover, but that meant a huge space for Jorgensen to run into and he made no mistake one on one with Wayne Hennessey.
It was deflating for Wales and Giggs needed to use every ounce of any management expertise he has picked up thus far to try to rally the troops during the half-time interval.
Whatever Giggs said certainly appeared to work early on as Wales came out fired up again for the second half, with the hugely impressive Brooks at the centre of their best moments.
He managed to get onto the end of a Bale cross, following a brilliant run down the right by the Real Madrid man, but unfortunately couldn't direct a snap effort past Schmeichel. Brooks then embarked on another dazzling run of his own, ball seemingly glued to his left boot as he danced around four Danish defenders, but his curling 20-yard effort went just the wrong side of the post.
Having had to send on Ethan Ampadu for the injured Chester, Giggs threw his last roll of the dice by replacing the disappointing Roberts with Harry Wilson. With Bale pushed to centre forward, suddenly Wales had an even more offence-minded look about them and the vociferous crowd were willing the undoubted talent on the field to grab the desperately needed equaliser.
It seemed that was coming when Wilson, who injected pace and purpose, drew a foul 25 yards out with one of his typical surges through the midfield. This was prime Bale free-kick territory, the moment appeared to have come.
Friday 16th November 2018
Gareth Bale scored for Wales, but it wasn't to be enough in the Nations League
Gareth Bale scored for Wales, but it wasn't to be enough in the Nations League
Wales' hopes of joining the big guns in the next Uefa Nations League were dashed as Denmark staged a Cardiff City Stadium smash and grab raid.
Goals by Nicolai Jorgensen and Martin Braithwaite were enough to secure top spot for the Danes, giving them a victory they scarcely deserved.
Gareth Bale - who else - did pull one back for Wales right at the end, but despite a rip-roaring finale Ryan Giggs' side were just unable to secure the result their fans craved.
Wales, roared on throughout by their magnificent fans, gave everything to the cause and desperately tried to pull something out of the bag during a rip-roaring finale.
Gareth Bale of Wales is tackled by Henrik Dalsgaard (Image: Chris
But it wasn't to be and Denmark managed to hang on to ensure it is they, not Wales, who will be playing against the likes of France and Spain next time this tournament takes place.
It was a disappointing way for Giggs' last meaningful match in his first year in charge to turn out. Wales go to Albania for a friendly on Tuesday, but this was the game that counted.
However, Wales have made progress under Giggs' watch in 2018 and there is a plethora of young talent, many of them on show in this game, to wow the fans when the Euro qualifiers kick in next year.
The draw for that tournament takes place in early December and Wales will be hopeful of qualifying for the finals again. Giggs' Wales were always a work in progress this year as he put his own stamp on the side, picked his own players, adopted his own tactics.
The real business starts next year and these youngsters who have given the team fresh impetus will be better for the Nations League experience they have just gone through.
In the end Denmark proved just too good over two games, there is no shame in that. But Wales will give anyone a game come the Euros and they'll quickly get over this temporary setback.
After the experiment of Spain at the Principality Stadium last month it was back to the real thing - a proper competitive game in front of a rocking and capacity Cardiff City Stadium.
Knowing it was pretty much a case of win or bust to top the group, Giggs really went for it with perhaps his most adventurous team selection yet. Leeds teenager Tyler Roberts was surprisingly chosen to lead the line, with Aaron Ramsey pushed deeper next to Joe Allen and Gareth Bale flitting about in a free role just in front.
Right from the start Wales went for the jugular, Bale having a ferocious drive tipped aside by Kasper Schmeichel and James Chester heading wide, when he really should have scored, following smart approach work by Ramsey and David Brooks.
A dazzling Brooks run down the right lifted the crowd again, before a beautiful tiki-taka move involving Ramsey, Brooks and Lawrence saw Bale agonisingly head centimetres wide from Connor Roberts' cross.
Wales were very much in the ascendancy, but at international level you can be punished in an instance and that's what happened just before half-time as the Danes began to finally get a foothold in the game and started to look menacing themselves going forward.
Welsh veteran Chris Gunter had just come on for the injured Paul Dummett, filling in at left-back and equalling Neville Southall's 92-match appearance record - a truly phenomenal achievement.
Adrenaline doubtless running, Gunter quickly rampaged forward but Denmark won the ball back and countered into the gap left down his side. Ashley Williams was dragged out of position to cover, but that meant a huge space for Jorgensen to run into and he made no mistake one on one with Wayne Hennessey.
It was deflating for Wales and Giggs needed to use every ounce of any management expertise he has picked up thus far to try to rally the troops during the half-time interval.
Whatever Giggs said certainly appeared to work early on as Wales came out fired up again for the second half, with the hugely impressive Brooks at the centre of their best moments.
He managed to get onto the end of a Bale cross, following a brilliant run down the right by the Real Madrid man, but unfortunately couldn't direct a snap effort past Schmeichel. Brooks then embarked on another dazzling run of his own, ball seemingly glued to his left boot as he danced around four Danish defenders, but his curling 20-yard effort went just the wrong side of the post.
Having had to send on Ethan Ampadu for the injured Chester, Giggs threw his last roll of the dice by replacing the disappointing Roberts with Harry Wilson. With Bale pushed to centre forward, suddenly Wales had an even more offence-minded look about them and the vociferous crowd were willing the undoubted talent on the field to grab the desperately needed equaliser.
It seemed that was coming when Wilson, who injected pace and purpose, drew a foul 25 yards out with one of his typical surges through the midfield. This was prime Bale free-kick territory, the moment appeared to have come.
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Re: “ AGONY FOR RYAN GIGGS “
Sat Nov 17, 2018 8:21 am
What Wales' defeat to Denmark means for the Nations League play-offs and Euro 2020 -
Saturday 17th November 2018
Wales missed out on securing promotion to League A of the Nations League after being beaten 2-1 by Denmark at Cardiff City Stadium.
Goals from Nicolai Jorgensen and Martin Braithwaite earned the Danes all three points in the Welsh capital, with Gareth Bale scoring a late consolation for Ryan Giggs' side.
The loss to Age Hareide's men means Wales will finish second in Group 4 of League B, regardless of the outcome of Denmark's clash with Republic of Ireland in Aarhus next week.
And it also means Wales' best chance of qualifying for Euro 2020 is now likely to come through the regular qualifying format, which runs from March to November next year.
However, there is still the possibility that Wales could compete in the Nations League play-offs in March 2020, but it would depend on which sides qualify for Euro 2020 via the usual qualifying system.
The sides who finish at the top of each group in Leagues A, B, C and D are all guaranteed to be in the Nations League play-offs should they fail to qualify through the normal route.
But given that a number of big guns in the higher leagues are most likely to qualify in the usual way, play-off places will be passed down to the next best ranked sides, potentially giving Wales a back door route into the play-offs should they need them.
Following the friendly clash with Albania on Tuesday night, Wales will not be back in action until the qualifiers for Euro 2020 get underway.
The Nations League play-offs take place in March 2020, with the four best ranked sides in each pot playing a one-leg semi-final and then a final.
The four final winners will earn a ticket to Euro 2020.
The draw for the Euro qualifiers takes place in Dublin next month.
Saturday 17th November 2018
Wales missed out on securing promotion to League A of the Nations League after being beaten 2-1 by Denmark at Cardiff City Stadium.
Goals from Nicolai Jorgensen and Martin Braithwaite earned the Danes all three points in the Welsh capital, with Gareth Bale scoring a late consolation for Ryan Giggs' side.
The loss to Age Hareide's men means Wales will finish second in Group 4 of League B, regardless of the outcome of Denmark's clash with Republic of Ireland in Aarhus next week.
And it also means Wales' best chance of qualifying for Euro 2020 is now likely to come through the regular qualifying format, which runs from March to November next year.
However, there is still the possibility that Wales could compete in the Nations League play-offs in March 2020, but it would depend on which sides qualify for Euro 2020 via the usual qualifying system.
The sides who finish at the top of each group in Leagues A, B, C and D are all guaranteed to be in the Nations League play-offs should they fail to qualify through the normal route.
But given that a number of big guns in the higher leagues are most likely to qualify in the usual way, play-off places will be passed down to the next best ranked sides, potentially giving Wales a back door route into the play-offs should they need them.
Following the friendly clash with Albania on Tuesday night, Wales will not be back in action until the qualifiers for Euro 2020 get underway.
The Nations League play-offs take place in March 2020, with the four best ranked sides in each pot playing a one-leg semi-final and then a final.
The four final winners will earn a ticket to Euro 2020.
The draw for the Euro qualifiers takes place in Dublin next month.
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Re: “ AGONY FOR RYAN GIGGS “
Sat Nov 17, 2018 11:24 am
Surely, the fact that we didn't top the group means exactly the opposite and we will be playing the likes of France and Spain to qualify for Euro 2020 as they will be in Pot A and we will remain in Pot B - or have I missed something? If we had topped the group we would have avoided them in qualifying as we would have been in the same Pot as them. Additionally, finishing top would have given us a route to the play offs if we didn't qualify automatically?
Re: “ AGONY FOR RYAN GIGGS “
Sat Nov 17, 2018 2:08 pm
Bluebird For Life wrote:Surely, the fact that we didn't top the group means exactly the opposite and we will be playing the likes of France and Spain to qualify for Euro 2020 as they will be in Pot A and we will remain in Pot B - or have I missed something? If we had topped the group we would have avoided them in qualifying as we would have been in the same Pot as them. Additionally, finishing top would have given us a route to the play offs if we didn't qualify automatically?
Like all competitions top ranked teams are in top
Pot! Should never have say Spain and France in same group as us because we are 2nd pot, unless one is ranked 3rd because of their past results that's way always been ! This nations cup as muddied the waters but when comes to normal qualification it's the same top team in pot 1 is in same group as 2nd top team (us) with 3 team and so on.
Re: “ AGONY FOR RYAN GIGGS “
Sat Nov 17, 2018 3:22 pm
that's what I thought...
Re: “ AGONY FOR RYAN GIGGS “
Sat Nov 17, 2018 6:28 pm
Bluebird For Life wrote:that's what I thought...
Futures Qualification is still based on rankings and we will be 2nd ire will be lower as they were relegated! Relegation cannot mean your ranking goes up that's for sure despite how it seems now.
