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David Brooks’ second-half header ensured Wales remained top of their Nations League group after claiming a close 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland at Cardiff City Stadium.
It was a typically tight match between two teams that had met six times in just over three and a half years, with neither goalkeeper being tested for long periods in the Welsh capital.
But Brooks scored his second goal for his country to earn Wales all three points and ensure they hold their own for first place in League B group four ahead of their final day of meeting Finland on Wednesday night.
Wales’ intent was clear even before a ball was kicked, as they named an exciting attacking-minded lineup in an attempt to bring the game to an Irish team that had not won in their last seven outings and had scored just one. time in six games under Stephen Kenny. .
And to further emphasize the scale of the task presented to the visitors, they were up against a team from Wales who entered the game as one of only three out of 55 Nations League participants who have yet to concede a goal in current competition.
Due to Wayne Hennessey’s absence due to injury, Danny Ward had his first competitive outing for his country since the Euro 2016 triumph over Slovakia.
The home team stuck with the three-defense system that served them well in Bulgaria last month, with Joe Rodon, Chris Mepham and Ben Davies starting ahead of Ward, while Neco Williams and Rhys Norrington-Davies were deployed as wingers.
Joe Morrell lined up alongside Ethan Ampadu in the middle of the park, while Captain Gareth Bale was part of an attacking trio that also included Daniel James and Brooks.
But Wales’ efforts couldn’t match the statistics, and they survived an early scare when Ireland’s captain Shane Duffy was only able to finish Robbie Brady’s free kick off the mark in two minutes.
The visitors will no doubt be pleased with their start, and Wales was unable to test Darren Randolph early on, with Rodon heading James’ corner from eight yards.
Brady put in an effort just over the bar before Randolph easily dealt with Brooks’ deflected effort at the other end, as both goalkeepers became more involved.
However, despite being somewhat flat, Wales nearly got ahead through a moment of magic from Bale when he tried his luck with a daring free kick from no less than 35 meters, though his shot grazed the top of Randolph’s crossbar.
Joe Allen’s creativity was greatly missed in midfield, and Ireland looked to capitalize on that when Ward’s legs denied James McClean at the half-hour mark.
Rodon made a surprising last-minute tackle to prevent Adam Idah from having a clear run to goal as the Irish continued to beat what was a cautious encounter.
The task could well have been more difficult for Wales, as Morrell was lucky enough to receive only one yellow card after kicking Jayson Molumby, who was booked for a foul on Williams as the game heated up.
Page took a hit five minutes after the restart when Davies received a yellow card for a cheap foul on Molumby, meaning the Tottenham man is suspended for the clash with Finland.
However, they showed signs of improvement, with Davies and Bale having goal attempts.
But after causing Randolph no major trouble, Page dispatched Kieffer Moore just after the hour mark, with Norrington-Davies breaking through as Wales switched to a back room.
And the hosts found advancement midway through the second half when Bale headed a James cross, which came through Moore’s head, back into the box, and Brooks headed home from close range to give his lead the lead. team.
It was the kind of determination Wales have shown so often of late, and he made sure they were able to eliminate any kind of sting from the final stages.
Kenny responded by sending in Conor Hourihane and James Collins, with the latter having a shot saved by Ward with 15 minutes left.
But they were almost caught on the counter when a James header sent Brooks to the goal, although Bournemouth’s ace was magnificently parried by Randolph as the game remained on the razor’s edge with 10 minutes to go.
Bale then broke through when Callum O’Dowda and Jack Byrne were sent to Ireland.
Moore had a chance to seal him in injury time, though he couldn’t beat Randolph before Jeff Hendrick was sent off after dying from a foul on backup Tyler Roberts.
Although Wales, who are now undefeated in 10 competitive matches, held on to record their seventh consecutive clean sheet in a competitive match, while ensuring that they only need a draw with Finland to secure promotion to League A.
Welsh: Room; Mepham, Rodon, B. Davies; N. Williams, Ampadu, Morrell, Norrington-Davies (Moore 62); Bale (C), Brooks (T Roberts 88), James.
Unused subs: Fon Williams, King, Gunter, Lockyer, Sheehan, Matondo, C Roberts, J Lawrence, Smith, Johnson.
Yellow Cards: Morrell 38, B Davies 50
Target: Brooks 67
Republic of Ireland: Randolph; Doherty, Duffy (C), Horgan (Knight 58), O’Shea (O’Dowda 82); Molumby (Hourihane 75), Brady (J Byrne 82), K Long; Hendrick, Idah (Collins 75), McClean.
Unused Subs: Travers, Kelleher, Manning, Clark, Christie, Maguire, Curtis.
Yellow Cards: Molumby 38, Caballero 79
Red card: Hendrick 90 + 4
Referee: Petr Ardeleanu
You can relive the match updates in their entirety below:
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