Wales are eager to build momentum, but just days after arguably the finest result of Craig Bellamy’s two-year tenure, an exhausting international break concluded on a disappointing note. There was at least some consolation when Bellamy learned that Portugal’s comeback win against Norway left Wales third in Nations League A4 for the next six weeks rather than bottom, thanks to their superior head-to-head record. “That’s actually quite nice,” the Wales head coach said as he absorbed the small positive around half an hour after the final whistle. “That’s brightened up a real rubbish moment.”
Bellamy had said that last Thursday’s win over Norway had thrown the group wide open, but Danny Ward’s costly mistake handed Denmark a second-half penalty, and Rasmus Højlund converted it perfectly to settle the contest. The frustration for Ward was that he had previously kept Wales in the match, producing an outstanding right-handed save to stop Gustav Isaksen. Wales also missed the chance to record their first clean sheet since defeating Liechtenstein last November, illustrating once again how quickly a goalkeeper’s fortunes can change.
Wales were always likely to find it difficult to reproduce the relentless display that earned victory over Norway, particularly because their opponents had played most of the second half with 10 men. Matching the emotion of that occasion was another challenge, but despite the inconvenient 7.45pm Sunday kick-off, the Barry Horns brass band generated plenty of noise and helped create an impressive atmosphere. The stadium was not full, yet the national anthem still provided a powerful moment.
Bellamy said the physical demands of four matches in 11 days made it unrealistic to retain the same starting lineup, although Daniel James was ultimately the only player replaced, with Brennan Johnson taking his position on the wing. Ben Davies started for the fourth consecutive match of the international window despite his only Tottenham appearance having come against Charlton Athletic’s B team in the Carabao Cup. Neco Williams and Ethan Ampadu also started again before Leeds travel to Arsenal in Saturday’s early Premier League fixture. Ward made his fourth straight appearance too, meaning he has represented Wales four times more often than he has played for Wrexham this season.
The lack of regular club football remains a recurring concern for Wales. Bellamy hopes Joe Rodon will recover from a hamstring problem before next month’s trip to Oslo and the home match against Portugal. “We started well and then as the game unfolded, the intensity started to drop for us,” said the 47-year-old. “We couldn’t sustain the intensity, we couldn’t get the energy up enough to be able to have a bigger say in the game. I felt it in the first half: we’re not moving enough now. We tried to make one or two substitutions to freshen it up. We shouldn’t really have played Ben – I’m just hoping he’s not injured but he’s a warrior. We don’t have enough players playing week in, week out, certainly not at the top level. When you don’t do this week in, week out, it’s a shock to the system. It was a touch of reality.”
Ward made a sharp stop to deny Højlund early in the second half, but his next intervention was even more impressive. Joakim Mæhle surged along the left before sending a delicate, looping cross into the penalty area. Isaksen followed its flight and adjusted his body intelligently, directing a header towards the bottom-right corner. The effort appeared destined for the net, but Ward stretched out a strong right hand and pushed the ball against the post. At that stage, the goalkeeper was Wales’s standout performer.
Moments later, however, Ward gave away a needless penalty. Ben Cabango played the ball across to him, but as the goalkeeper attempted to move possession on, he mishit his pass and sent it directly to Isaksen. Ward rushed forward in an effort to repair the mistake, only to collide with the Denmark winger and leave the referee with a straightforward decision. Højlund waited for Ward to move left before calmly placing the penalty into the other corner.
Sorba Thomas caused problems on the left, repeatedly getting the better of Denmark right-back Rasmus Kristensen, while Leicester’s Liam Cullen worked tirelessly in a creative role. Wales nevertheless failed to force Mads Hermansen, Ward’s former Leicester teammate, into a meaningful save. Their tired performance reflected the demands of a fourth match during a lengthy international camp. “Physically, it makes no sense,” Bellamy said. “We know it’s a complete disadvantage to us … I think, really, it is designed for the elite.”
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