FT: WALES 1 - 1 BELGIUM. Match thread

[Michael Morris]

Cardiff City Stadium, Saturday 11th June, ko 7:45pm
Live on S4C

Match Officials:

Referee: Benoit Bastien (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Hicham Zakrani (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Aurélien Berthomieu (FRA)
Fourth Official: Thomas Leonard (FRA)

Match facts

• Wales' most recent win against Belgium was a 3-1 victory in their Euro 2016 quarter-final.
• Belgium have won just two of their seven away games against Wales in all competitions, with those victories coming in March 1997 (2-1) and September 2012 (2-0).
• Defeat against the Netherlands on Wednesday ended a 19-match unbeaten run for Wales at home.
• Belgium have played more games in Nations League history without any ending in a draw than any other side, winning nine and losing five.
• Wales have lost two of their last three games in all competitions, as many as in their previous 14.
• Belgium have scored in each of their last 46 games since a 1-0 World Cup semi-final defeat to France in 2018.
• Against no side has Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne scored more international goals than he has against Wales, netting three times in seven appearances.

[Michael Morris]

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[the other bob wilson]

Gluey gets his wish, Ampadu in midfield.

Incidentally, Scotland are getting thumped 3-0 by Ireland.

[Wales-Bales]

Gluey gets his wish, Ampadu in midfield.

I'll let you be the judge of my early analysis regarding Ampadu and Johnson. It was great to see so many young Welsh players finish the match

[splott parker]

Ramsey was outstanding when he entered the fray.

[Rjk]

Ramsey was outstanding when he entered the fray.

yes so much better than the Ukraine game

[the other bob wilson]

I'll let you be the judge of my early analysis regarding Ampadu and Johnson. It was great to see so many young Welsh players finish the match

Agreed and the best thing for me is that they improved the team. Ampadu did well, but I did note that we had our best spell when he went back into defence - think that was just a result of the impact the subs had more than him not fitting in as a midfielder. Mepham has had a good set of June games and, if he can maintain that form, I can see Ampadu becoming more of a midfielder for Wales - Allen was playing a bit further forward while he was on and did pretty well.

Johnson is knocking on the door very hard to be included every game, but I was a bit disappointed in him against the Dutch and I thought James caused them a lot problems last night.

[Pearcey3]

Agreed and the best thing for me is that they improved the team. Ampadu did well, but I did note that we had our best spell when he went back into defence - think that was just a result of the impact the subs had more than him not fitting in as a midfielder. Mepham has had a good set of June games and, if he can maintain that form, I can see Ampadu becoming more of a midfielder for Wales - Allen was playing a bit further forward while he was on and did pretty well.

Johnson is knocking on the door very hard to be included every game, but I was a bit disappointed in him against the Dutch and I thought James caused them a lot problems last night.

Mepham looks a lot more assured now. Some really tough calls for Page to make going forward. Fingers crossed injuries are light going into the finals.

[Wales-Bales]

Ampadu did well, but I did note that we had our best spell when he went back into defence - think that was just a result of the impact the subs had more than him not fitting in as a midfielder.

Moving into the backline is a natural part of his game when playing as a CDM, and you will often see him dropping deep between the centre backs when the opposition are in advanced attacking positions. On one occasion, I noted Ben Davies and Neco Wiilliams both advancing down the left flank causing an overload in the opposition half along with the further forward left sided players, and Ampadu fluidly slotted into the LCB position. Of course, it also a useful tactic when we are applying sustained pressure in the final third, or chasing the game, etc.

Mepham has had a good set of June games

Yes, I noticed that too. I watched him quite a bit when he played in the Premier League under Eddie Howe, and he was never really a bad player.

However, I see this conundrum being with us for a while longer, as Page tries to make up his mind about what he thinks is our best starting XI, but yesterday was encouraging.

[Taffy Blue in Berkshire]

has de bruyne got chocs for bale?

[Wash DC Blue]

What goal Ampadu

[Eric the Half a Bee]

Wales Bales has orgasmed.

[Harry Paget Flashman]

Wales Bales cleaning up his spunk with his tears after that VAR call.

[Wash DC Blue]

Balls to VAR

[PontBlue]

Bale's passing is a bit off so far this evening

[BLUETIT]

Bale's passing is a bit off so far this evening

He had Wilson free to his left then, he decided to lob one over the bar into the Canton stand

[Eric the Half a Bee]

Wales Bales cleaning up his spunk with his tears after that VAR call.

[PontBlue]

Not a bad sub to bring on

[Tuerto]

Training session.

[Michael Morris]

0-1

[Wash DC Blue]

Disappointing to concede.
We've played well in all of these Nations League games.

[the other bob wilson]

Lovely goal, but Williams should have done better.

[PontBlue]

What has Thomas got to do to get some game time?

[Pearcey3]

What has Thomas got to do to get some game time?

Yep. What is there to lose by giving him a chance.

[Wash DC Blue]

What has Thomas got to do to get some game time?

I agree.
Somebody mentioned the other day that Page may not be a fan.
Maybe that is the case.

Why bring on Norrington Davies over him?
Sorba looks like he could be the business to me.