Cymru’s first match under new head coach Craig Bellamy ended in a goalless draw at the Cardiff City Stadium, despite Türkiye being reduced to ten men for almost thirty minutes at the end of the game.
The hosts looked fluid in possession but lacked the finishing touch, with Sorba Thomas’ first-half opener disallowed for an offside infringement just before the break.
As it happened
When the eyes of a nation last descended on the Cardiff City Stadium, the outcome was one of heartbreak. Dan James’ shootout miss had cost Cymru their chances of another European fairytale, with Poland progressing to EURO 2024 in their place.
On Friday, a new era would begin. Craig Bellamy, a former captain of the national team, would take the managerial reins for the first time.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe former Burnley assistant has had just days to implement his new style of football, though it was apparent from the get-go that Cymru would play with an energy not seen for quite some time under Rob Page.
On the ball, they were fluid; off it, they pressed relentlessly. For much of the game, Cymru dominated a side that shocked the world with their performances at EURO 2024, and the crowd at the Cardiff City Stadium backed them wholeheartedly.
Connor Roberts’ early cross was almost tucked away by Aaron Ramsey, and another first-half chance saw Sorba Thomas pick out Joe Rodon – the half-volleyed effort was ultimately a disappointing one, however.
Türkiye’s appeals for a penalty were dismissed after Baris Yılmaz tumbled under pressure from Rodon; the defender escaped lightly however, with the visiting forward instead entering the referee’s book for a shove on Ethan Ampadu in the aftermath.
Sorba Thomas looked to have found the back of the net just before the half-time whistle blew in the Welsh capital, latching onto Ramsey’s aerial ball from the heart of midfield, though he was denied for a fractional offside.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe positive momentum continued in the second half as Harry Wilson curled just wide of the post with an effort from long-range, and the match swung further in the hosts’ favour shortly after the hour mark as Yılmaz was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
Turning dominance into something tangible on the scoreboard was where Cymru struggled, however. Lewis Koumas and Kieffer Moore could not find a way to break the deadlock after being substituted into the action, and the hosts were ultimately forced to settle for a point in the first match of their UEFA Nations League Group B4 campaign.
Yet it was perhaps the post-match scenes that revealed the most: Cymru were applauded off the pitch. Bellamy, in the space of just a few days, had left fans enjoying the prospect of watching their national team. Their game plan was clear, and while there will be hurdles to overcome, Cymru should feel confident of three points against Montenegro on Monday.
The lineups
CYM: Ward; Williams, Davies, Rodon, Roberts; James, Ampadu, Wilson; Thomas, Ramsey, Johnson
TÜR: Günok; Müldür, Bardakcı; Söyüncü, Ayhan, Çelik; Yıldız, Yüksek, Kökçü, Güler; Yılmaz