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 0-0 Turkey
18 mins: Wales win another free kick, this one over on the inside left side of the pitch. It gets swung into the box by Harry Wilson who finds Ben Davies all alone.
The ball is slightly behind him and he can only turn it wide of goal.
Close! From the corner the ball is played short then whipped into the box from Sorba Thomas. It drops to Joe Rodon who then lifts a half-volley over the crossbar!
Wales 0-0 Turkey
21 mins: It’s sharp, clever stuff from Wales who have repeatedly recovered possession whenever Turkey are on the ball. They’ve been electric to watch and deserve a goal for this start.
Wales 0-0 Turkey
24 mins: Harry Wilson is clipped by Kaan Ayhan but play goes on until Ben Davies commits a foul high up the pitch and gives away a free kick.
Wales’ pressing has been great but can they keep this level of pressure up for the full 90 minutes? Time will tell.
Wales 0-0 Turkey
27 mins: Oh that’s mean. Kenan Yildiz leaps towards a bouncing ball and flies straight into Connor Roberts leading with his elbow. The Welsh defender goes down and the referee comes across pulling out the yellow card.
There didn’t seem to be too much contact but the Turkey midfielder goes in the book.
Wales 0-0 Turkey
30 mins: Turkey exert a bit of pressure on Wales and Harry Wilson shuts it down with a heavy lunging tackle. He goes in the book too and the referee is starting to issue the cards a bit more regularly.
Brennan Johnson then joins his teammate after bungling Kenan Yildiz to the ground as well. There’s a bit of needle in this match now.
Wales 0-0 Turkey
33 mins: Baris Yilmaz goes down inside the Welsh box after a tackle from Joe Rodon and wants a penalty that doesn’t come. He then squares up to Ethan Ampadu and throws a bit of a hissy fit.
The referee has none of it and pulls out a yellow card. The Turkey forward is stewing here.
Wales 0-0 Turkey
36 mins: The Turkish players haven’t really created anything and as a result they’re getting very frustrated with the way the game is developing.
Wales will want to assert a bit more control.
DISALLOWED! Wales 0-0 Turkey
37 mins: It was almost the moment for Sorba Thomas.
Aaron Ramsey receives the ball from Harry Wilson and flicks a pass over the top as Thomas makes a run inside from the wing. He collects the ball and lobs the goalkeeper but the offside flag is raised immediately!
Wales 0-0 Turkey
40 mins: Harry Wilson curls another free kick into the penalty area but can’t find a teammate as Turkey manage to clear their lines. Five minutes to go until half-time, can Wales get the opener?
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