WREXHAM, United Kingdom (AFP) - Wales needed a stoppage-time goal from Liverpool teenager Ben Woodburn to beat Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 in friendly on Wednesday (March 20) after Ryan Giggs left Gareth Bale out of the home side in Wrexham.
Bale was one of several players, including Aaron Ramsey and David Brooks, omitted by Wales manager Giggs just days before the team begin their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign against Slovakia in Cardiff on Sunday.
Trinidad and Tobago are ranked 93rd in the world - 74 places lower than Wales - yet it seemed they might be rewarded with a highly creditable draw at a Racecourse Ground where their manager, Dennis Lawrence, played for Wrexham.
The last match between the two countries had seen Bale become Wales' youngest player at 16 years and 315 days in a victory over Trinidad in Austria in a 2006 friendly.
Bale was not even on the bench on Wednesday, with Giggs protecting his star player ahead of Sunday's match.
Trinidad nearly took the lead when Aubrey David's shot was cleared off the line by Chris Gunter.
But the second minute of stoppage time produced the lone goal when Woodburn chested in a Will Vaulks cross.
Bale, Wales' record goalscorer, completed 90 minutes for the first time in 2019 on Saturday and scored as Spanish giants Real Madrid beat Celta Vigo 2-0 in La Liga.
"We all know what a talent he is, and if he plays games he'll score goals," said Manchester United great Giggs of Bale ahead of Wednesday's match.
"But also I want to take the pressure off him at the same time, so if he's not available we're not just reliant on one player," he added.
PSG captain Thiago Silva receives French citizenship
May 09, 2019 · Eden Hazard scored the winning spot-kick as Chelsea beat Eintracht Frankfurt 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge to set up a Europa League final against Arsenal
Arsenal and Chelsea player ratings: Star players as Premier
Zidane leads first session since return to Real Madrid. By. AFP - March 14, 2019 7:00 AM. Zinedine Zidane played for Real Madrid between 2001-2006. Zinedine Zidane's second spell as coach of
Zidane leads first session since return to Real Madrid | New
United are level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham and two points behind Arsenal in third, but have now played a game more than both London clubs. Wolves beat United 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on 16 March, but Solskjaer will be wondering how they managed to throw away three points here.
Hungry Wolves beat 10-man Manchester United 2-1 | New Straits
Jurgen Klopp vowed this season was just the "first step" for his Liverpool team as he congratulated Manchester City on pipping his side to the Premier League title on Sunday. Liverpool beat
Klopp: Premier League near-miss is only Liverpool's 'first step'
Tottenham's Kane has been ready to play for 10 days - Pochettino "Harry Kane is one of the best strikers in the world and of course for a team like us it's a massive impact to have him
Tottenham's Kane has been ready to play for 10 days - Pochettino
global.espn.com/football/tottenham-hotspur/story/3780850/tottenhams-kane-has-been-ready-to-play-for-10-days-pochettino
"I hope he will be a massive boost for us," Pochettino told a news conference. "Harry Kane is one of the best strikers in the world and of course for a team like us it's a massive impact to have him available. I'm so happy to have all the players, but we can't hide that he's one of the best strikers in the world." Editor's Picks
Tottenham vs Liverpool Betting Tips: Kane to return with a
Tottenham striker Harry Kane will be sidelined until March after suffering ankle ligament damage in Sunday's defeat against Manchester United. Kane sustained the injury to his left ankle in the closing moments of the 1-0 loss at Wembley and scans have now confirmed the extent of the problem.
Tottenham Hotspur Star Harry Kane Out Until March With Ankle
LONDON (AFP) - Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino was charged with improper conduct by the Football Association on Monday (Feb 26) following his side's defeat to Burnley on Saturday..
Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham boss charged by Football
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer aims thinly veiled dig at Jose Mourinho as Man United arrive at training. The Norwegian is unbeaten in 10 matches after taking over from Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford six
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer aims another dig at Jose Mourinho's
Mesut Ozil will return to the Arsenal squad for Saturday's Premier League visit of Burnley, with manager Unai Emery saying he believes the midfielder has a future at the Emirates Stadium.
Returning Mesut Ozil Has Arsenal Future Says Unai Emery
Impressive Burnley fight back to beat Bournemouth 3-1 Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Burnley - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - April 6, 2019 Burnleys Ashley Barnes scores their third goal REUTERS/Peter Nicholls (Reuters) - Burnley made a big step towards securing Pr
Impressive Burnley fight back to beat Bournemouth 3-1
Football: Liverpool seal Christmas top spot as Salah and Van
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen