Robert Lewandowski’s wonderful help for Karol Swiderski condemned Wales to Nations League relegation on Sunday night time in Cardiff, because the hosts signed off for his or her journey to the World Cup with a defeat.
Wales have ended their Nations League marketing campaign with one level from six video games in a gaggle which additionally contained the Netherlands and Belgium, with useful expertise given to a variety of children as qualification for Qatar took precedence for essentially the most half on this group.
They began their remaining sport earlier than the match with out the absent midfield pair of Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen in central midfield, however an early excessive press and loads of power set the wheels in movement. A fan in entrance of the press field fancied getting concerned too, attempting his damnedest to go the ball again onto the pitch following a block by Brennan Johnson. He really managed it too.
The primary half was maybe shaded by Poland by way of territory and management, however Wales noticed the higher alternatives. Daniel James spurned the perfect probability of the opening 45 after a clearance fell into his path, and when it is James in a foot race there’s often just one winner.
He carried the ball into the field however might solely hit his try at Wojciech Szczesny, when maybe rolling the ball throughout to Brennan Johnson was the higher choice.
Johnson himself almost scored in direction of the tip of the primary half when an try of his trickled agonisingly broad of the publish. The closest Poland got here to scoring got here from Welsh goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, who almost allowed Joe Rodon’s again move to roll by way of him and over the road. He nearly spared his personal blushes.
Poland rolled into the lead simply earlier than the hour mark after one piece of uncommon high quality within the match carved Wales open – unsurprisingly courtesy of Lewandowski. His one contact flick in behind performed by way of Swiderski who slotted dwelling.
Wales introduced on Kieffer Moore and switched techniques in speedy response, and carried extra of a menace with Gareth Bale dropping into the opening in behind. Johnson was closely concerned of their attacking play from broad on the appropriate, and once more noticed one other try fall simply broad. James on the alternative flank offered extra of a menace for the ultimate 25 minutes too, typically beating his defender.
The hosts piled on the strain within the closing phases and a Bale header hit the crossbar in harm time, however Wales might want to pull out higher performances than this in Qatar.
GK: Wayne Hennessey – 6/10 – Would have been fairly one thing if he hadn’t have managed to retrieve the again move that almost trickled over the goal-line due to his mis-control. Might do nothing concerning the purpose.
RCB: Ben Cabango – 6/10 – Needed to put in writing that he stored Lewandowski in his pocket, however that will be a lie.
CB: Joe Rodon – 6/10 – Not his most interesting hour tonight.
LCB: Rhys Norrington-Davies – 6/10 – Carried the ball out of defence nicely and regarded comfy on the entire. Substituted proper after Poland scored.
RWB: Connor Roberts – 6/10 – Good power all through the night time as ever – in each instructions – however no telling contributions in an attacking sense.
CM: Joe Morrell – 6/10 – Industrious however passing left a little bit to be desired.
CM: Dylan Levitt – 6/10 – Robust night time for the 2 midfielders who struggled for management in opposition to the opposition. Changed by Colwill.
LWB: Neco Williams – 7/10 – At all times carries a menace together with his means to beat opposition gamers. Not his finest night time however one in all Wales’ higher showings.
RW: Brennan Johnson – 8/10 – There’s simply such pleasure every time he will get the ball. Unpredictable and fast with sensible approach, however as evidenced at instances, could make higher selections. Unfortunate to not rating in each halves.
FW: Gareth Bale – 6/10 – Largely ineffectual by way of the center however much more concerned when dropping into the ten position following Moore’s introduction. Sadly that solely happened when Wales fell behind. Got here near an equaliser in harm time as his header hit the bar.
LW: Daniel James – 6/10 – Did the Dan James factor the place he runs clear by way of on purpose & shot straight on the keeper simply after the half hour. Got here shut within the second after a teasing cross almost discovered its well past Szczesny. Rather more of a menace after Wales switched techniques.
SUBSTITUTES
SUB: Kieffer Moore – 5/10 – Booked for being tall, as is custom.
SUB: Rubin Colwill – 6/10 – Not a central midfielder however supplied extra of a menace than Levitt within the centre as you’d count on as Wales chased the sport.
SUB: Sorba Thomas – 6/10 – Cross in harm time almost led to an equaliser for Bale.
