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
45 mins: Two minutes of added time to play before the end of the first half.
Half-time! Wales 0-0 Turkey
45+2 mins: Brilliant first half from Wales who have controlled play and created the better chances to score. It’s been a bright and energetic performance from the hosts and a great start to Craig Bellamy’s reign.
Can they capitalise on this start in the second half?
HT Wales 0-0 Turkey
A tetchy and frustrating half for Turkey but an encouraging one for Wales. Who will go on to win this game?
HT Wales 0-0 Turkey
Wales were the dominant side in the first 45 minutes, they had 67% possession and created six chances compared to Turkey’s two. Only one of them was on target but they did have a goal disallowed after Sorba Thomas’ fine finish was ruled out for offside.
HT Wales 0-0 Turkey
Coming up tomorrow: Brawls, boos and ‘plastic Paddys’: how the English and Irish football teams became eternally entwined
For some around the Irish squad, it’s still strange to be preparing for a match against Lee Carsley’s England. Ireland made a strong push for the admired coach, since he has 40 caps for the country. A solid Ireland midfielder is now the most important figure in English football culture, and will have a tricolour by his name if he takes England to the World Cup.
Carsley was born in Birmingham but qualified for Ireland through his Cork grandmother, and spoke last week of naturally feeling both nationalities. The same applies to many for Saturday’s game in Dublin, most notably Declan Rice and Jack Grealish, who make up at least nine England regulars over the last half-decade that could have also represented Ireland. It is almost an inevitable inversion of the fixture’s history, when it was Ireland that most benefited from the country’s diaspora to Britain.
How the English and Irish football teams became eternally entwined
England meet the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday in only their fifth meeting in 34 years, reigniting a rivalry that has shades of grey between the white and green
Second half! Wales 0-0 Turkey
Turkey get the ball rolling for the second half in Cardiff. The first half was very positive and if Craig Bellamy’s men can replicate that in the next 45 minutes the fans will all go home pleased regardless of the result.
Wales 0-0 Turkey
48 mins: Oh here we go.
Sorba Thomas receives the ball and drives through the middle. He cuts back onto his right foot and shoots from range only for the ball to bobble wide of the left hand post.
Decent effort.
Wales 0-0 Turkey
51 mins: Harry Wilson threads a pass into the box and almost sneaks Brennan Johnson in behind from the right wing. The ball is intercepted and cleared by the visitors.
Wales have started this second half in much the same way they ended the first.
Wales 0-0 Turkey
54 mins: Close! Orkan Kokcu flicks a cross into the penalty area and perfectly picks out Baris Yilmaz. He has a free header but nods it over the crossbar.
Turkey’s best chance so far!
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