Determined dragons weather storm to earn valuable Nations League point

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Wales picked up what could prove to be an important point as they held a talented Turkey to a goalless stalemate in the Nations League on Saturday.

Craig Bellamy’s side were on the back foot for most of the game but defended valiantly to keep their hopes of automatic qualification to League A alive going into the final game.

The hosts missed a penalty with two minutes to go as Vincenzo Montella’s Turkey were wasteful and ultimately left frustrated.

Bellamy’s team have been impressive in the first few games of his tenure, and they headed to Kayseri for their penultimate Nations League fixture knowing they still had a chance of winning the group.

The hosts, meanwhile, were on the hunt for a win that would secure automatic promotion to the top tier of the competition.

And they made their intent clear from the off. Fledgling star Arda Guler tried an early effort from distance but the shot lacked the power to trouble Karl Darlow in the Wales goal.

Brennan Johnson was booked moments later for a cynical foul on Baris Yilmaz as the noise inside the Kadir Has stadium started to build.

Kerem Akturkoglu then volleyed over the crossbar as Turkey began to turn the screw. The influential Guler and captain Hakan Calhanoglu were starting to pull the strings.

A rare venture forward for the visitors saw them pounce on a mistake from the Turkish defence, but Johnson slipped at the key moment after a Harry Wilson cross and the chance was gone.

At the other end, Wales themselves then squandered possession cheaply, presenting an opportunity for Turkey, but they too failed to capitalise.

The game suddenly sprang to life; the booming sound of the partisan crowd reaching fever-pitch.

Darlow pulled off a vital stop to deny Yunus Akgun after the winger had been played through one on one.

Clad in a navy hoodie and joggers, Bellamy’s demeanour belied his casual dress. The Wales boss looking increasingly restless and agitated on the sidelines.

But his side were holding firm. The centre-back pairing of Joe Rodon and captain Ben Davies repelled almost everything Turkey threw at them.

Then, on 40 minutes – and very much against the run of play – Wales had the ball in the back of the net through Jordan James. However the goal was swiftly ruled out for an offside in the build-up.

A nasty-looking clash of heads between Rodon and Mark Harris brought the game to lengthy halt but, luckily, both players were luckily able to continue.

Shortly after play resumed, Wilson went within millimetres of giving his side the lead when his shot from the edge of the box cannoned off the post after some neat work by Harris to tee him up.

Bellamy will arguably have been the happier of the two bosses going into the break but still opted to change things up by bringing on the returning Dan James in place of Harris.

Montella also chose to make a change for the second-half, replacing Calhanoglu with Ismail Yuksek.

And again, Turkey largely dominated the ball while Wales seemed content to sit in and bide their time.

Akgun fizzed a half-volley narrowly wide and substitute Enes Unal prodded the ball the wrong side of the post, as Turkish frustration began to creep in.

The phrase ‘smash and grab’ is perhaps overused in sport, and one that often unfairly downplays the tactics and efforts of the visiting team.

Here it might have been used, but a strong, assured defensive display might be a more apt description.

There is a talent in disruption and while Wales weathered the storm at times, they did so with a calmness and gritty determination.

It was less a case of being outplayed than understanding the job at hand. Rodon and Davies, aided by full-backs Connor Roberts and Neco Williams, were immense.

So it felt somewhat cruel when Turkey were awarded a soft penalty with two minutes remaining after Williams was adjudged to have unfairly upended Akgun in the box.

But Akturkoglu sent the spot kick wide, much to the delight of Bellamy and co., and Wales held on for a deserved, and potentially valuable point.




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