Daniel James’ late header secured Wales’ win over the Czech Republic in a blazing World Cup qualifier.
After both teams were reduced to ten players, the Wales national team beat the Czechs 1:0. Wales’ captain, Gareth Bale, said that the win was just what the team needed, especially after losing the opening match against Belgium.
“It was a massive result. We showed a lot of heart and desire to match a very physical team”, he told the press and added: “It was very chaotic, especially [the] second half, but we were ready and kept going until the end, and the most important thing is to get that winner.”
The triumph over the Czech team moved Wales up to third place in Group E. This position is still behind the Czech Republic and Belgium, but a step closer to the World Cup nevertheless. The group winners automatically qualify for the World Cup finals.
Gareth said that it is imperative to win the following games, emphasizing the temporary manager’s efforts to support the team’s World Cup ambitions, despite the difficulties it faces. Robert Page, the assistant coach, was given this role when the team’s manager Ryan Giggs was arrested on suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend last year. Giggs’ bail was extended until May 2021, after he denied the assault allegations.
Earlier this week, the team got smaller for three players - Hal Robson-Kanu, Rabbi Matondo, and Tyler Roberts. The Football Association of Wales (FAW) didn’t state the exact reasons for removing them from the team, except that the players “breached protocols.”
Page, who has been leading the team as of November 2020, said that these events were water under the bridge.
“The incident that happened is going to stay in-house. We have dealt with it, and we are going to move forward,” Page said.
The acting manager was happier to discuss Wales’ victory. “We knew a win would put us in a nice place in the group, and it’s absolutely done that,” he concluded.
