‘It is half-time’ says Rob Page after Wales take a big stride towards Euro 2024

By Sports Desk March 21, 2024

Wales manager Rob Page called for his players to quickly regroup from their 4-1 win over Finland and lift themselves again when they face Poland for a place at Euro 2024.

Midfielder David Brooks fired Wales into an early lead and Nottingham Forest full-back Neco Williams clipped in a well-worked free-kick before Finland pulled a goal back ahead of the break from Teemu Pukki.

Wales, though, restored their advantage at the start of the second half through Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson with substitute Daniel James racing clear to add a fourth on the break.

Poland were 5-1 winners over Estonia in the other Path A semi-final.

Page knows a much sterner test awaits from Robert Lewandowski and co when Wales return to the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night.

“It goes to show how far we have come but the message is, it is half-time,” Page said on S4C.

“We have a massive effort to go again on Tuesday and we can’t wait.”

Page added: “We are disappointed with the goal we conceded. It made for an uncomfortable few minutes, but to start the second half in the way that we did was credit to the lads again, I thought they were excellent.

“We are going to enjoy the win, but we are going to build on this again and take it into Tuesday.

“These supporters, they are immense and they have helped us again tonight.”

Williams added: “We came into this game with a game plan, and I think it worked out as good as it can go.

“(It was) an excellent performance all round and a good stepping stone for Tuesday.

“We don’t stop here now, we have one more game to go. Hopefully we put in a good performance to go to the Euros.”

Related items

  • Vilahamn wants to use FA Cup final defeat as 'beginning' for Tottenham Women Vilahamn wants to use FA Cup final defeat as 'beginning' for Tottenham Women

    Tottenham Women manager Robert Vilahamn believes his side will use their FA Cup final defeat to start something special, rather than ending their good work.

    Spurs were hammered 4-0 by Manchester United Women in Sunday's Wembley Stadium showpiece as Ella Toone and Rachel Williams were on target before Lucia Garcia's second-half double.

    Vilahamn's side failed to manage a shot on target but the Spurs boss suggested his team will catch up to the women's elite clubs.

    "The main thing I said was this is not the end, it is the beginning," Vilahamn said.

    "We still have a gap between us and the top teams but that's normal. We are closing the gap but we haven't closed the gap yet."

    Tottenham finished sixth in the Women's Super League as well as reaching this final, their first FA Cup showpiece appearance in their short history.

    Vilahamn wants his Spurs players to use this defeat as motivation going forward.

    "If you take away the feelings right now, you need to look at these players doing some incredible things this year," he said.

    "We are at Wembley playing in front of our fans and they are actually enjoying it and staying, and supporting us after.

    "We got a good experience today and we are learning how to play at Wembley more times. We need to look at it that way because the players are amazing."

  • 'Not a good sign' – Keane unimpressed by Man Utd's injured absentees 'Not a good sign' – Keane unimpressed by Man Utd's injured absentees

    Roy Keane was left questioning the attitudes of Manchester United's players as the Red Devils were once again without numerous key players for Sunday's loss to Arsenal.

    Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martinez were among the notable names to miss out for the 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford, as Erik ten Hag bemoaned continued injury issues.

    Martinez and Harry Maguire's absence ensured Ten Hag had to field Jonny Evans and makeshift centre-back partner Casemiro in defence, with the latter at fault for Leandro Trossard's winning goal.

    Wayne Rooney vocalised his concerns over the application of United's players and Keane, speaking on Sky Sports, echoed his thoughts as he questioned the prolonged absence of some.

    "Obviously, that's not a good sign," Keane said of players not returning from injury. "You'd hope players who are carrying injuries are desperate to get back playing again.

    "There is always a worry, there are always players at every club that can drag their heels with an injury.

    "Generally, players I played with when they were given a period they'd be injured for, they were always trying to knock a week off it and get back playing for Manchester United or whatever club they're at."

    Without a host of key players, United have conceded in 10 successive games in all competitions for the first time since October 2021.

    The Red Devils' 82 goals they have conceded this season is their most since 1970-71 (also 82), too, as United continue to disappoint in the 2023-23 campaign.

    United have also lost 19 games in all competitions this season, their most since 1977-78 (also 19), while their nine defeats at Old Trafford this term are their joint-most at home in a single campaign.

    Keane says the concerns over players not racing back to fitness is not unusual, though it does little to aid Ten Hag's plight.

    "It's always a worry but I have to say, it goes on at lots of football clubs," the United great said. 

    "There are lots of players out there when they have an injury, they're not in the hurry to get back in the team. I think that's obvious and happens at lots of football clubs."

  • Leverkusen ready to become first team to play unbeaten Bundesliga season, says Alonso Leverkusen ready to become first team to play unbeaten Bundesliga season, says Alonso

    Bayer Leverkusen are ready to become the first team in Bundesliga history to go an entire season unbeaten, coach Xabi Alonso said after Sunday's 5-0 demolition of Bochum.

    Treble-chasing Leverkusen cruised past Bochum, who had Felix Passlack sent off in the 15th minute, to stretch their remarkable unbeaten run across all competitions this season to 50 consecutive matches.

    On Thursday, Alonso's team surpassed Benfica's long-standing European unbeaten record set from 1963 to 1965 with a 2-2 draw against Roma that sent them through to the Europa League final.

    Sunday's win over Bochum also meant they became only the third team in Bundesliga history to remain unbeaten in every away match of a season.

    "After that red card it was a completely different game for us," Alonso told a press conference.

    "I am very satisfied with the result. It was important for us. Now we have a super goal on Saturday to win the title without any defeat. That has never happened before."

    Leverkusen, who face Atalanta in the Europa League showpiece match and take on Kaiserslautern in the DFB-Pokal final later in May, entertain Augsburg at home in Saturday's Bundesliga finale where they will also receive their first-ever league trophy.

    "To receive the title in Leverkusen will be very special," said Alonso. "The players have been focused the entire season so for them it will be very special. I am proud of them."

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.