By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (November 19^th 2024)

Miracles Needed and Delivered

Needing a 5-0 trouncing over Iceland if group leaders Turkey drew with minnows Montenegro or a far bigger favour from the minnows to secure automatic promotion to Group A Nations League football, Craig Bellamy’s team would not fail for lack of trying. In fact, both results went his way. Wales thrashed Iceland 4-1 and in Nikšić, Montenegro. Former Croatian midfielder Robert Prosinečki’s team delivered their first win 3-1 over Turkey for Wales to celebrate all night as they returned to Group A of the Nations League. The high point for Iceland came after 7 minutes when Andri Gudjohnsen put Iceland ahead. Wales responded with two goals in each half, a first half brace by Liam Cullen and a goal apiece in the second half by Brennan Johnson and Harry Wilson. Meanwhile, a Nikola Kristović hat-trick led Montenegro to 3-1 win, which mean Wales gained the automatic promotion slot to Group aa and Turkey must wait until March to play a third-placed Group A team to decide whether they too get promoted or remain in Group B. Iceland will also wait until March to play a second-placed Group C team to see if Iceland will be relegated or remain in Group C. Age Hareide refused to be drawn on his future, saying “I can’t tell you that [if he planned to quit or stay until March], I have to talk to the Federation.”

False Dawn

Nevertheless, Iceland produced the first serious attempt on goal through Isak Johannesson’s shot from the right of the area, which Danny Ward tipped over.

Two minutes later Iceland, a team dubbed ‘underdogs’ at yesterday’s pre-match press conference by their Norwegian coach Age Hareide, whose contract expires this month took a shock lead. Iceland’s captain Johann Gudmundsson’s cross from the left found Orri Óskarsson in space in the area, but his header from point blank range was parried by Ward to his right, but the rebound was netted by Andri Gudjohnsen through the keeper’s legs to give the visitors the lead.

Six minutes later Wales first shot on goal by Brennan Johnson from the right of the area was saved to his right by Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson, but Johnson was offside anyway. Through a glancing header to Valdimarsson’s right by Liam Cullen from Johnson’s cross from the right.

Wales equalised after 31 minutes.

Just under ten minutes later Mark Harris set up Johnson on the right, but his shot was saved by Valdimarsson.

The Miracles Begin

Just before the first half ended Harry Wilson conjured space for a shot, but again Valdimarsson saved easily, but in added time he deflected Dan James’ shot from the left to Cullen whose close-range shot deflected in off Sverrir Ingason to send Wales in 2-1 up at half time. And the dream was still on as Montenegro led Turkey 2-1 at half time in the Gradski Stadion in Nikšić, courtesy of a Nikola Kristović brace, which sandwiched a reply by Kenan Yildiz.

With almost 15 minutes of the second half played a long ball was nodded on by Harry Wilson to create an opportunity to shoot on the left – Valdimarsson made a meal of it but saved without a serious threat to his goal.

After 65 minutes Cullen turned provider with an assist to Johnson on the right to make it 3-1 to Wales. Five minutes later Amór Ingvi Traustason was deservedly yellow carded for a bad foul on Harry Wilson. Retaliation soon followed as Alfons Sampsted was the victim of a bad foul which resulted in a yellow card for Johnson that means he will be suspended for the next match.

Miracles Delivered

Meanwhile, Kristović completed his hat-trick after 73 to give Montenegro a 3-1 lead over Turkey. And Wales made it four. Ward’s long kick was hooked on by Cullen on the ground to Wilson who blasted his shot in to Valdimarsson’s right, after just shy of 80 minutes. Jóhannesson’s attempt to haul back Neco Williams after 83 minutes earned him no more than a deserved yellow card. With two minutes of normal time remaining a bout of head tennis culminated in a volley by Gudjohnsen clearing the bar by some distance. In added time Sorbo Thomas’ curling shot from the left went just wide. The resulting corner was the last kick of a memorable match for Welsh football.

Meanwhile, Turkey still trailed by two in added time in Nikšić. It remained 3-1 to Montenegro. Wales were back in Group A. Current Bayern München coach Vincent Kompany played a huge part in Bellamy’s development. “He was one of the most important people I’ve ever met in my life.”