Wales vs Turkey LIVE: Nations League result and reaction as hosts settle for draw despite strong performance
Wales 0-0 Turkey: Sorba Thomas had a goal disallowed as the Dragons impressed in Craig Bellamy’s debut as head coach
Craig Bellamy’s first match in charge of the Welsh national team was an exciting and promising affair that displayed how he wants them to play going forward. The Dragons hosted Turkey at the Cardiff City Stadium and drew 0-0 in a positive performance that had flair and style.
From the get-go Wales were the more aggressive team. They took charge of the ball and utilised the pace of forwards Brennan Johnson and Sorba Thomas who set up on either wing. In the middle Aaron Ramsey and Harry Wilson juggled playmaking duties admirably as Wales created the better chances over the first 45 minutes.
Ramsey nodded a chance over the top and Joe Rodon failed to convert from close range. The best chance fell to Thomas who broke through the lines and perfectly lobbed the goalkeeper only to be ruled offside.
In the second half there was hope of a famous win after Baris Yilmaz collected a second yellow card and Turkey went down to 10 men. Bellamy made substitutions to try and keep the energy levels high, but Wales couldn’t break the deadlock, and the match finished goalless.
Not the result the Welsh fans wanted but they were encouraged by the performance. Bellamy has Wales playing exciting football.
Relive the updates and reaction from the Nations League below:
Wales vs Turkey
Wales have only lost three of their past 30 home matches in all competitions (17 wins, 10 draws). Two of those losses were in the Nations League against the Netherlands and Poland in 2022.
Wales vs Turkey
Turkey have only lost two of their past 11 matches in the Nations League (five wins, four draws), although they did lose their most recent match in September 2022 against a Faroe Islands team ranked 125th in the world.
Wales vs Turkey
Harry Wilson has had a hand in five goals in his past seven appearances for Wales (two goals, three assists), with one of those assists coming against Turkey in November last year.
Wales vs Turkey
Almost time for kick off at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Craig Bellamy will be hoping for a successful start to this era of Welsh football. He’s brought some early messages to the team about high intensity and dominating possession.
Turkey will be a tough team to control though and it’ll be interesting to see how Wales go tonight. Kick off is up next...
Kick off! Wales 0-0 Turkey
The anthems are played before kick off with the watching crowd in full voice as the Welsh national anthem is sung under the lights at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Wales get the ball rolling for this Nations League clash. They send it back to the defence where it gets booted over to the right wing with Brennan Johnson the target but the ball is chested out for a throw in.
We’re underway!
Wales 0-0 Turkey
3 mins: Johnson receives the ball out on the right side and slots it over to Ethan Ampadu. He slips the ball into the penalty area but Connor Roberts’ enterprising run doesn’t end with him in possession.
Wales have started this match with control of the ball.
Wales 0-0 Turkey
6 mins: Kenan Yildiz is clattered early on by Joe Rodon with that tackle bringing out a round a loud cheers from the Welsh crowd.
Sorba Thomas, positioned out on the left tonight, makes a nice run down the wing before slipping a pass into the feet of Aaron Ramsey.
He collects, spins and flicks a cross over to the other side of the box. Brennan Johnson recovers the loose ball and backheels it. A second cross comes into the box and Ramsey is there to head his chance over the crossbar!
Wales 0-0 Turkey
9 mins: This is nice play from Wales. They look confident and spritely with Thomas and Johnson looking sharp on either wing. Already there have been plenty of crosses sent into the box but Wales are also playing through the lines.
Johnson darts into the box and squares a pass but it gets cleared out for a corner. The first of the game.
Wales 0-0 Turkey
12 mins: Sorba Thomas’ corner finds Aaron Ramsey at the near post but he doesn’t quite catch the shot right and it sails wide of the target.
Craig Bellamy is an animated figure on the sidelines, barking orders and gesturing to his players.
Wales 0-0 Turkey
15 mins: Brennan Johnson wins a free kick near the right touchline but the set piece is cleared out for another corner. This one is defended well by the visitors too.
Wales are putting the pressure on Turkey here.
Former Wales striker Helen Ward is pleased with what she’s seeing. On BBC Radio Wales she says: “You can tell Wales are trying new things, they look inventive and full of ideas.
“A very exciting first 13 minutes.”
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