Rubin Colwill struck his first international goal as Wales extended their unbeaten home record to 18 matches with a 1-1 draw against Czech Republic.
Wednesday 30th March 2022
The visitors started well and took the lead at Cardiff City Stadium through captain Tomas Soucek's driven effort. But Colwill - on his home ground - equalised just moments later after fine play from the impressive Brennan Johnson.
Both sides had opportunities to win it, although the spoils were ultimately shared on what was a useful workout for Rob Page's fringe players ahead of a huge month in June where the Red Dragons bid to qualify for the Qatar World Cup in addition to playing four Nations League fixtures.
Only Wayne Hennessey kept his place from the memorable World Cup play-off semi-final win over Austria, with the goalkeeper earning his 100th cap. Chances were at a premium early on, although Johnson asked questions of the Czech Republic defence with his pace.
The hosts survived a scare on 10 minutes after Ben Cabango slipped, with Chris Mepham hurling himself in front of Jan Kuchta's shot. And it was a sign of things to come as the Lokomotiv Moscow forward then headed at Hennessey before Michal Sadilek drilled well over.
Rabbi Matondo fired a tame effort at Jindrich Stanek in what was a rare opening for Page's side. But they fell behind just after the half hour mark as Jaroslav Zeleny's cross landed at the feet of West Ham star Soucek who rifled beyond Hennessey.
It was no less than the visitors deserved, although they were made to pay for some shoddy defending just two minutes later as Johnson evaded the attention of two defenders before cutting back to Colwill who fired into the far corner. Wales grew in confidence after that equaliser, and after Sadilek's free-kick skimmed the roof of Hennessey's net, Will Vaulks drilled against the post as the score remained level at half-time.
Jan Sykora's effort hit the post shortly after the restart, with Ondrej Lingr's follow-up effort being disallowed for offside. Vaulks then clipped the outside of the post before Johnson twice went close as the game opened up in the second-half.
Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon and Adam Davies were all summoned for the final half an hour as Johnson continued the most likely to do damage for the hosts while Soucek has an effort saved late on.
Jonny Williams, Gareth Bale and Mark Harris were all given minutes in the final stages before substitute Adam Hlozek blazed over from just inside the Wales box. And after Bale was twice denied by Tomas Vaclik late on, the referee's whistle ended a contest where a 12,912-strong crowd raised vital funds for those in Ukraine.
Wales: Hennessey (C) (A Davies 60); Gunter (Rodon 60), Mepham, Cabango; Thomas, Vaulks (Ampadu 60), Morrell, Norrington-Davies; Colwill (Bale 81); Johnson (Harris 81), Matondo (J Williams 71).
Subs not used: King, N Williams, Wilson, C Roberts, James.
Goal: Colwill 34
Czech Republic: Stanek (Vaclik 46); Zima, Petrasek, Brabec; Masopust (Jankto 63), Lingr (Hlozek 81), Soucek (C), Sadilek (Barak 63), Zeleny; Pesek (Sykora 46); Kuchta (Jurecka 46).
Subs not used: Heca, Holes, Krejci, Pekhart, Mateju.
Goal: Soucek 32
Attendance: 12,912
Referee: Paul Tierney
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