FT: ROMANIA 2 - 1 WALES. Match thread

Saturday, June 6, ko, 6:45 pm
Venue: Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest
Referee: Rohit Saggi (Norway)

Live on BBC 1 Wales, S4C and online services.

Managed by Gheorghe Hagi, Romania drew 1-1 in Georgia on Tuesday. Hagi scored for Romania in the infamous game in Cardiff when Romania pipped Wales for a place at USA 1994. He also scored twice on Wales' previous visit to Bucharest, a 5-1 World Cup qualifying defeat in May 1992.

Match Facts

Romania have won three of their last four games against Wales in all competitions (L1), with this their first since a 2-1 win in November 1993 at Cardiff Arms Park.

Wales have lost their two previous away games against Romania, losing 2-0 in November 1971 in a UEFA EURO qualifier and 5-1 in May 1992 in a FIFA World Cup qualification match.

Romania have won seven of their last nine (L2) and each of their last three home games in all competitions – they last won four in a row on home soil between June and November 2017.

Each of Wales’ last three matches have ended 1-1, with the team scoring first pegged back each time – the Dragons last drew more consecutive matches in all competitions between October 2016 and June 2017 (run of 5).

Earlier this week against Georgia, Gheorghe Hagi took charge of his first game as Romania manager (1-1) since November 2001 vs Slovenia, almost 25 years ago. His only win in charge of the nation came in September that year vs Hungary.

Each of Wales’ last seven goals have been scored in the second halves of games, their longest run since May 1992 (also 7) – the Dragons have scored in the 90th minute or later in three of their last 13 matches, as often as across their prior 27 outings.

Despite him coming on a substitute in the 60th minute, only Dan James (4) had more shots in Wales 1-1 Ghana earlier this week than Lewis Koumas (3) – he will be aiming to be the first player to net their first goal for the Dragons, and then also score in their next cap since Brennan Johnson in June 2022.

Jayden Lienou (18y 60d) could become the youngest defender to win their first cap for Wales since Chris Gunter vs New Zealand in May 2007 (17y 309d), who went on to win more caps than any other defender for the nation (109).

Hagi looks like an old angry piss head that everyone avoids eye contact with in the pub.

Kai Andrews looks like he'll be a decent player. Still only 19.

Lucky to get away with that cracking finish being chalked off.

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Originally Posted by splott parker

Lucky to get away with that cracking finish being chalked off.

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He did look onside!

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Originally Posted by Don Corleone

He did look onside!

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Watch the player coming back from an offside position, I think he’s the one flagged offside, not the fella that scored

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Originally Posted by BLUETIT

Watch the player coming back from an offside position, I think he’s the one flagged offside, not the fella that scored

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That linesman’s got a couple wrong in the first half, including the goal, and I’m not sure Dan James was offside just now on his first run of the second half.

Well. That goal’s been coming (both commentators have just agreed with me!) - typical June performance from Wales so far.

I switched on watched Ampadu demand the ball from the keeper with nobody within 10 yards and he passed it back to a centre back and switched back off.

Norrington-Davies is allergic to passing the ball forward. Absolute garbage.

Earnie is annoying with his 1- bloody zero, it’s one nil ya knob.

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Originally Posted by splott parker

Earnie is annoying with his 1- bloody zero, it’s one nil ya knob.

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Bring back Lucy.

We need to learn to pass. It’s a liability.

How does Earnie get a job co commentating. He talks more than the main commentator and it’s annoying.

Great finish Brooks

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Originally Posted by BlueArmy 86

How does Earnie get a job co commentating. He talks more than the main commentator and it’s annoying.

Great finish Brooks

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Agree totally about Earnie. He needs to put a sock in it. Annoying is putting it mildly.

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Originally Posted by BLUETIT

Watch the player coming back from an offside position, I think he’s the one flagged offside, not the fella that scored

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

That linesman’s got a couple wrong in the first half, including the goal, and I’m not sure Dan James was offside just now on his first run of the second half.

Well. That goal’s been coming (both commentators have just agreed with me!) - typical June performance from Wales so far.

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Na, I’m right

Did Ward really have to put that shot around the post before the goal?

bit of a mess that.

Are we going backwards under Bellamy?

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Originally Posted by Sparticus_Mills

Are we going backwards under Bellamy?

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Yeah, especially when we get a free kick in the opposition half....

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Originally Posted by Hilts

I switched on watched Ampadu demand the ball from the keeper with nobody within 10 yards and he passed it back to a centre back and switched back off.

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Will you be doing that with city next season?...I do hope so.

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Originally Posted by BLUETIT

Na, I’m right

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Those sort of things are’nt given any more or they shouldn’t be.

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Originally Posted by splott parker

Earnie is annoying with his 1- bloody zero, it’s one nil ya knob.

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Bring back Hugh Johns with his 'one - nothing'.

Not a good few games for the City lads, just 3 minutes for Kpakio and nothing for Davies or Colwill

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Originally Posted by Seven seas of rhye

Not a good few games for the City lads, just 3 minutes for Kpakio and nothing for Davies or Colwill

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Isaak played the last half an hour or so on Tuesday.

Weekly review 7/6/26.

https://mauveandyellowarmy.net

Bellamy is going to start coming under pressure. We should be doing better. Neco Williams, Ethan Ampadu and Harry Wilson all players of the season at their top flight clubs. Darlow, Rodon and Brooks all playing regularly in the top flight. Dan James and Brennan Johnson getting decent game time too. Promising youngsters lihe Jordan James and Dylan Lawlor. That's a solid base but we are going backwards.

His second year has been a dissappointment

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Originally Posted by Pearcey3

Bellamy is going to start coming under pressure. We should be doing better. Neco Williams, Ethan Ampadu and Harry Wilson all players of the season at their top flight clubs. Darlow, Rodon and Brooks all playing regularly in the top flight. Dan James and Brennan Johnson getting decent game time too. Promising youngsters lihe Jordan James and Dylan Lawlor. That's a solid base but we are going backwards.

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Originally Posted by PontBlue

His second year has been a dissappointment

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I can see him walking, he’s looking for perfection, but it’s just not happening

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pearcey3

Bellamy is going to start coming under pressure. We should be doing better. Neco Williams, Ethan Ampadu and Harry Wilson all players of the season at their top flight clubs. Darlow, Rodon and Brooks all playing regularly in the top flight. Dan James and Brennan Johnson getting decent game time too. Promising youngsters lihe Jordan James and Dylan Lawlor. That's a solid base but we are going backwards.

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Bellamy is too wedded to his football philosophy, his belief in his systems done him against Bosnia as it did last night.

Football wise he'll die on that hill as I don't see him changing?

A little bit of pragmatism when managing games wouldn't go amiss?

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Originally Posted by Jordi Culé

Bellamy is too wedded to his football philosophy, his belief in his systems done him against Bosnia as it did last night.

Football wise he'll die on that hill as I don't see him changing?

A little bit of pragmatism when managing games wouldn't go amiss?

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I would agree with that, but i just get this strange feeling about Bellamy. It's like he's installing his newer less oppressed character out onto the football pitch through this group of players and by changing it would maybe feel to his that he's not being honest or authentic.

That probably sounds like bollocks, and it probably is, but i think that Bellamy is quite a complex individual. He's very honest, he always has been, although his honesty now is more measured and less angry. I don't know where i'm going with this post, but for a time i really did think that Bellamy was putting on a bit of an act, convince himself, convince everyone else along the way. I don't believe that now, i think that he's a troubled person, or has been, and Honesty and Authenticity at the forefront of his recovery. I think that we see rhat with his tactics and when he's being interviewed or sat in a press conference. He seems to lay things bare.

He reminds me a bit of Tony Adams, although not so extreme. Whe Adams came out as an Alcohilic something almost evangelical happened to him. He was ridiculously honest about himself in the present and the past. He would go at length to explain himself, wouldn't shirk a question or his failings, it was like the Trauma of addiction and all of the Psychological stuff he'd been through had to be cleansed through his actions. I see similarities with Bellamy.

Just to add, it's very likely that i'm completely wrong about all of this, because i generally don't have a ****ing clue about stuff like this :hehe:

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Originally Posted by Tuerto

I would agree with that, but i just get this strange feeling about Bellamy. It's like he's installing his newer less oppressed character out onto the football pitch through this group of players and by changing it would maybe feel to his that he's not being honest or authentic.

That probably sounds like bollocks, and it probably is, but i think that Bellamy is quite a complex individual. He's very honest, he always has been, although his honesty now is more measured and less angry. I don't know where i'm going with this post, but for a time i really did think that Bellamy was putting on a bit of an act, convince himself, convince everyone else along the way. I don't believe that now, i think that he's a troubled person, or has been, and Honesty and Authenticity at the forefront of his recovery. I think that we see rhat with his tactics and when he's being interviewed or sat in a press conference. He seems to lay things bare.

He reminds me a bit of Tony Adams, although not so extreme. Whe Adams came out as an Alcohilic something almost evangelical happened to him. He was ridiculously honest about himself in the present and the past. He would go at length to explain himself, wouldn't shirk a question or his failings, it was like the Trauma of addiction and all of the Psychological stuff he'd been through had to be cleansed through his actions. I see similarities with Bellamy.

Just to add, it's very likely that i'm completely wrong about all of this, because i generally don't have a ****ing clue about stuff like this :hehe:

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If you read his rather honest autobiography, he was racked with self-doubt as a player. Maturity has enabled him to have a bit of a different perspective, no doubt.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tuerto

I would agree with that, but i just get this strange feeling about Bellamy. It's like he's installing his newer less oppressed character out onto the football pitch through this group of players and by changing it would maybe feel to his that he's not being honest or authentic.

That probably sounds like bollocks, and it probably is, but i think that Bellamy is quite a complex individual. He's very honest, he always has been, although his honesty now is more measured and less angry. I don't know where i'm going with this post, but for a time i really did think that Bellamy was putting on a bit of an act, convince himself, convince everyone else along the way. I don't believe that now, i think that he's a troubled person, or has been, and Honesty and Authenticity at the forefront of his recovery. I think that we see rhat with his tactics and when he's being interviewed or sat in a press conference. He seems to lay things bare.

He reminds me a bit of Tony Adams, although not so extreme. Whe Adams came out as an Alcohilic something almost evangelical happened to him. He was ridiculously honest about himself in the present and the past. He would go at length to explain himself, wouldn't shirk a question or his failings, it was like the Trauma of addiction and all of the Psychological stuff he'd been through had to be cleansed through his actions. I see similarities with Bellamy.

Just to add, it's very likely that i'm completely wrong about all of this, because i generally don't have a ****ing clue about stuff like this :hehe:

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'Coach' Bellamy is a much more interesting, likeable character than the 'player' version.

I can actually listen to him do his interviews and thought his stints as a pundit showed him to be knowledgeable and a good communicator.

He's obviously matured, grown up and appears a lot more reflective than the angry little bugger he appeared as a player.

I agree with you, I did wonder initially if he had styled himself as 'Born again Bellers' as an audition for career progress. I think he's 100% genuine and he'll stick to his beliefs. The problem being he'll see any pragmatism as a betrayal of his philosophy or weakness.

Personally, football wise, a bit of game management wouldn't go amiss.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pearcey3

Bellamy is going to start coming under pressure. We should be doing better. Neco Williams, Ethan Ampadu and Harry Wilson all players of the season at their top flight clubs. Darlow, Rodon and Brooks all playing regularly in the top flight. Dan James and Brennan Johnson getting decent game time too. Promising youngsters lihe Jordan James and Dylan Lawlor. That's a solid base but we are going backwards.

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The pressure is already being applied, on here anyway :hehe:

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Originally Posted by BLUETIT

I can see him walking, he’s looking for perfection, but it’s just not happening

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Yup me too

Football can be bloody simple if you can deliver quality balls into the box and defend them well enough.

Romania's delivery was quality almost every time. We looped long balls to the back post which Earnshaw was right on comms, you aren't scoring from directly.

On another point, Kieffer Moore is finished

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Originally Posted by Trigger

Football can be bloody simple if you can deliver quality balls into the box and defend them well enough.

Romania's delivery was quality almost every time. We looped long balls to the back post which Earnshaw was right on comms, you aren't scoring from directly.

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I'm glad you mentioned Earnie, because I reckon he's a decent pundit, he spots little things that a lot of football fans probably can't see. I only watched around 20 minutes of the game against Romania, but during that time Earnshaw picked up on a couple of little things that players did, intricate intelligent moments.
People have a go at him on here for whatever reason, they don't like his accent, he talks to much etc, although they can put the TV on mute or watch the game without commentary if they so wish. Plenty of pundits try a bit hard in my opinion, but is it really that bad?

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Originally Posted by Tuerto

I'm glad you mentioned Earnie, because I reckon he's a decent pundit, he spots little things that a lot of football fans probably can't see. I only watched around 20 minutes of the game against Romania, but during that time Earnshaw picked up on a couple of little things that players did, intricate intelligent moments.
People have a go at him on here for whatever reason, they don't like his accent, he talks to much etc, although they can put the TV on mute or watch the game without commentary if they so wish. Plenty of pundits try a bit hard in my opinion, but is it really that bad?

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He could probably learn to pause a little, least he knows the game though and has largely been there, something you can't really teach to a few others.

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Originally Posted by Hilts

I switched on watched Ampadu demand the ball from the keeper with nobody within 10 yards and he passed it back to a centre back and switched back off.

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That's a tactic they use at Leeds. I've also wondered why they do it, and somebody should ask Farke about it. My guess is it introduces an element of unpredictability when playing out from the back, while the variations in passing patterns cause confusion and creates doubt about who to press, etc.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tuerto

I'm glad you mentioned Earnie, because I reckon he's a decent pundit, he spots little things that a lot of football fans probably can't see. I only watched around 20 minutes of the game against Romania, but during that time Earnshaw picked up on a couple of little things that players did, intricate intelligent moments.
People have a go at him on here for whatever reason, they don't like his accent, he talks to much etc, although they can put the TV on mute or watch the game without commentary if they so wish. Plenty of pundits try a bit hard in my opinion, but is it really that bad?

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I’ve moaned about Earnie as a co commentator a few times on here in the past, but Ithought the same as you last night - there were some good insights from him and I was impressed even if he did carry on a bit much. Mind you, even that has it’s good side as it meant we heard less of Simon Davies :hehe:

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

I’ve moaned about Earnie as a co commentator a few times on here in the past, but Ithought the same as you last night - there were some good insights from him and I was impressed even if he did carry on a bit much. Mind you, even that has it’s good side as it meant we heard less of Simon Davies :hehe:

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I think his personality shows through, tinged with a bit of media training and probably trying a little too hard to sound clever, although he's not they type I can get than angry about it I'm honest. I quite like him, even though he dresses like a 20 year old, although I suppose he can get away with it😃