‘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

  • Aston Villa ready for 'biggest challenge' says Emery Aston Villa ready for 'biggest challenge' says Emery

    Unai Emery says Thursday's Europa Conference League clash with Olympiacos is Aston Villa's "biggest challenge" of the season.

    Villa are 4-2 down after a shock defeat in the first leg of the semi-final tie at Villa Park last week.

    While they are pushing for a top-four finish in the Premier League, Emery believes attempting to overturn the deficit in Greece will prove to be Villa's biggest test yet.

    "This is the challenge tomorrow, the biggest challenge we’re going to face this year, playing in this semi-final," Emery said.

    "I will find the best performances tomorrow and really be competitive.

    "Of course, it's going to be very difficult here away because the atmosphere supporting the home team could be more difficult.

    "In 90 minutes, we have to be focused with everything tactically, being in control of our emotions, set-pieces as well, everything."

    Olympiacos or Villa will face Fiorentina in the final on May 29, after the Serie A club overcame Club Brugge on Wednesday.

  • Al Ahli 1-2 Al Hilal: Malcom saves league leaders' winning streak Al Ahli 1-2 Al Hilal: Malcom saves league leaders' winning streak

    Malcom’s stunning solo goal finished Al Hilal’s second-half comeback to earn a 2-1 win over Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League on Monday.

    The forward started his run from inside his own half before slotting in the winner, after teeing up Aleksandr Mitrovic for the equaliser just after the interval.

    Feras Al Brikan had given Al Ahli the lead in the 30th minute, but the hosts could not hold onto it against the league leaders.

    Al Hilal continue their unbeaten league campaign to a 30th match, moving 12 points clear at the top of the table, while Al Ahli remain in third, now 22 points off the AFC Champions League spot.

    Data Debrief

    Malcom was one of Al Hilal's most influential players; as well as playing a hand in both goals, he had the joint-most shots (five), and the joint-most shots on target (two), and created two chances for his team.

    Al Ahli also struggled to cope with Mitrovic's threat, as the Serbian created an xG of 0.61 from his five shots, having 11 touches in the opposition box.

  • Ronaldo delivers another hat-trick as Al Nassr ease past Al Wedha Ronaldo delivers another hat-trick as Al Nassr ease past Al Wedha

    Cristiano Ronaldo crafted a decisive hat-trick as Al Nassr hammered Al Wedha 6-0 in Saturday's Saudi Pro League meeting.

    Portugal veteran Ronaldo found the net twice in the first 12 minutes at Al Awal Park before completing his treble after the interval.

    Sadio Mane teed up Ronaldo's third finish, as well as an 18th-minute strike from Otavio, who returned the favour for the Senegal international to score on the stroke of half-time.

    Mohammed Al Fatil added a late sixth as Al Nassr recorded their seventh straight league win since their March 7 loss against Al Raed, moving them back within nine points of leaders Al Hilal.

    Jorge Jesus's Al Hilal swept Al Tauwoon aside in a 3-0 away triumph on Friday for their fourth straight victory across all competitions.

    Talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic opened the scoring at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium before Saud Abdulhamid and Saleh Alsherhi wrapped up a win that kept Al Hilal in charge of the title race.

    There was no such fortune for fifth-placed Al Ittihad as they fell to a third straight defeat in all competitions after a 3-1 loss away against Abha.

    Jota levelled after Grzegorz Krychowiak's 57th-minute penalty, only for Hassan Al-Ali and Fabian Noguera to power hosts Abha to a comfortable win.

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.