Here’s Ben Fisher’s report from Riga.
Rob Page proclaimed he would take a scruffy one-nil win and while it was hardly smash and grab, they had to sweat to a earn a crucial win that revives their hopes of automatic qualification. Aaron Ramsey’s 100th senior career goal, from the penalty spot, opened the scoring but Wales also endured their share of hairy moments.
Kári Tulinius gets in touch: “As long as we’re recommending music, let me throw in a link to the relaxed, francophone electronica of Latvian duo Domenique Dumont.”
A bit of background on David Brooks, should you require it.
Full-time: Latvia 0-2 Wales
There’s a conga going on down in the stadium. That was a good win for Wales, who were by far the better team but couldn’t seem to finish off their opponent after their first-half penalty. So good to see David Brooks score the decisive goal after what he has been through. He’s back and scoring goals for his country. And Rob Pages fights on.
Goal! Latvia 0-2 Wales (Brooks, 90+6)
Latvia undone at last, and this was the goal that Wales needed to score many minutes before. Lovely run by Harry Wilson, who stands up his defender, and lays the ball up for Brooks, who scores with falling-leaf dink. Lovely goal, their 24th attempt on goal.
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90+4 min: Ben Davies booked for dissent, too. The Latvia free-kick takes some time to be delivered, and there are huge cheers when Danny Ward lies on it after Connor Roberts knocks it skywards.
90+3 min: Uh oh. Mepham is booked for tobering Tobers, and Latvia have a free-kick in a difficult position. Tempers fraying here. Harry Wilson is involved in a bit of afters.
90+1 min: Can Wales hang on for Rob Page? The game should be out of sight by now.
90 min: Seven minutes added on. Mostly because of the VAR red card that never was.
89 min: Johnny Bull gets in touch: “Osian Roberts is in the S4C studio and has been doing the media rounds recently. You’d hope the FAW can find a job for him after his work with Wales, Crystal Palace and Morocco. The only better candidates are still holding down Premier League gigs at Luton and Forest.”
And with that, Tobers picks up a booking, for absolutely tobering Neco Williams. That he receives a suspension suggests he is no stranger to tobering.
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88 min: Millwall’s Tom Bradshaw is on as a sub, replacing Brennan Johnson. He’s a big physical lad, in the finest ‘wall traditions.
86 min: But….suddenly, it looks as if, no, so close. Ikaunieks cuts in, shoots and Danny Ward is nowhere near it. The ball comes out of the sidenetting and off the backboard.
84 min: Wales continue to dominate territory, they’ve just been very wasteful. Latvia are a blunt instrument as ever….
82 min: On no, David Brooks has the goal gaping in front of him as the ball bounces to him after Brennan Johnson has a shot saved. He falls to the ground in disappointment.
81 min: Tim Smith gets in touch: “If it’s goals and action you want, try watching Portugal-Luxembourg. Some stunning goals in this one. Portugal look like world beaters.”
And, guess who isn’t playing?
79 min: Now Ampadu heads wide. So many Welsh chances, just a single-goal lead.
78 min: Emsis, of Latvia, is booked for a hack on Harry Wilson. Latvia have been aggressive, to say the least.
77 min: Neco Williams, from the left, smashes in a swerver that means Ozols has to save it at the second time of asking.
76 min: Wales have a corner now, and it doesn’t beat the first man.
74 min: Tobers almost tobers it home, from a deep cross. Chris Mepham had let him go, and there’s relief for Wales. When the ball goes back in, Dubra gets a free header but nods up into the air.
72 min: Not much football being played here. Both teams tetchy. Latvia players arguing with each other. Rob Page looks very tense. And the Welsh fans’ Balsamia looks to have worn off, while Aaron Ramsey is sat looking sorry for himself.
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68 min: David Bowen gets in touch: “Honestly, what’s the point? That’s not a tackle, it’s a lash out at the knee. Ball was long gone.”
Yes, can’t disagree.
66 min: It’s gone off in Riga. Ikaunieks has just launched an absolute tobering of a tackle on young Jordan James. The ref’s been asked to look again after awarding a yellow. It was a total shocker. No effort to play the ball. He’s smashed into his knee. The ref takes an age over his decision, watching it back and forth. Somehow that’s not a red card. Don’t expect to be on the Uefa list next time, mate. Michal Ocenáš is his name, if you’re interested, from Slovakia.
That all took a very long time to come to the same decision as before. Jordan James, thankfully, is OK.
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61 min: Joe Pearson is back: “I may be mistaken, but Slowdive’s ‘Souvlaki’ reminds me a bit of Lush’s ‘Spooky’, which I think I got as an automatic selection from a CD Club (ask your parents) back in the early 90’s. Same kind of dreampop vibe. Also, it sure reads like Wales have been rather profligate in the 1st half. Hope it doesn’t come back to bite them.”
Lush were a slightly older band than Slowdive but same Cure-Cocteau influences, I’d say. They were a bit more poppy and their singer, Miki Berenyi, was the daughter of a Bond Girls from You Only Live Twice. The Melody Maker of the time used to make a big play of such groups all getting on – not sure if Slowdive counted – and it was known as The Scene That Celebrates Itself.
60 min: Matt Dony gets in touch: “Music recommendations, is it? Keeping on theme for this match, Adwaith are currently in the studio recording the follow-up to Bato Mato, a wonderful Welsh-language album. If that sounds too intimidating, just check out Wedi Blino. A perfect piece of dream pop.
“On topic, Rob Page seems like a great guy. He’s a good man-manager, comes across like a strong leader, charismatic, popular with the players. Welsh football will always be thankful to him for the way he came in and took over from Giggs. Everything was handled so well. (Also worth noting that the Welsh FA has done a tremendous job at most things these last few years. RFU take note, please). But, Page is looking more and more exposed. Those admirable qualities don’t necessarily make one an international manager. I feel a loyalty to him, and I don’t want to see him replaced, and yet performances since (and including) the World Cup aren’t exactly ringing endorsements of his tactical nous. It’s not a decision I’d relish having to make myself…”
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58 min: Suddenly, Latvia get a chance from nowhere as Krollis crashes a shot wide. And not so wide. Ciganiks ciganiks Neco Williams soon after that, and is booked for his troubles.
57 min: Yet another Wales corner. This time, a push is awarded against them.
55 min: Another Johnson chance, this time set up by Jordan James, and whipped wide. It was from a tough angle, to be fair.
53 min: Brennan Johnson gets another chance, set up by Brooks, and Ozols makes a fine save. From the corner, Joe Rodon climbs highest and wide.
52 min: Rob Page barks from the sidelines. Losing Ramsey was a blow, whatever the reasons behind it. For the record, Ben Davies is now captain.
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49 min: Something of a surprise, as Aaron Ramsey leaves the field. Is he injured? Everyone seems confused. So does he. He jogs off quickly enough and, here’s some good news, as on comes David Brooks.
47 min: Another Welsh corner. This time, Harry Wilson bombs it in. But it is again cleared.
46 min: We are back underway and almost instantly, the Welsh force a corner. They choose to take it short, and it’s cleared. That’s a terrible waste.
Half-time: Latvia 0-1 Wales
All Wales, all half, and riding high after Aaron Ramsey’s penalty. Then suddenly Latvia come at them at the end of the half and it all gets a bit hairy. Rob Page’s regime looks likely to face a testing second half.
45+2 min: Has Chris Mepham recorded a foul in the box? His elbow smashed into Krollis. There’s a VAR call. It’s waved away. That looked a bit lucky. We have all seen them given…
45 min: Two minutes are added on. Wales have a storm to ride out.
44 min: Ikaunieks looks the Latvian most likely, in picking up the loose balls. When Wales make a terrible mess of a long hoof, he chips it to Uldrikis who gets a slight touch that takes it away from Krollis. Wales suddenly all over the show.
43 min: Latvia stepping it up now, maybe this was the plan all along.
41 min: Oooh, so close. Sudden chaos in the Latvia box, and Danny Ward makes a save from Ikaunieks, then from the corner flaps and the ball is begging to be stabbed in. From nowhere, Latvia might have scored an equaliser.
39 min: Latvia have an attack, in the sense they get in the Welsh half. But that’s it really, There was some kind of shot in there somewhere but it barely qualifies.
37 min: Peter Oh is in: “Thanks for keeping us updated on the various hefty Tobers. Will you also let us know when the Latvia midfield absolutely Jaunzems a speculative shot into row Z?”
As we speak, Ciganiks absolutely ciganiks Jordan James, and should have been booked. Instead, a card is waved at the Welsh dugout for dissent. Uefa rules being adhered to, then, aside from those on heavy, dangerous fouls.
36 min: Two more chances. First, Johnson finds space and whips it wide. Next, Johnson again is the danger man in laying up Harry Wilson who shoots from a long way out and sees his shot saved. It’s getting to the point when Wales’ lack of goals might become problematic. That’s if Latvia stop playing like a drain. Which does seem unlikely.
33 min: Oof, Neco Williams ought to have scored that. Johnson scampers down the wing and lays it across. If anything, Williams hit it too well, Clive.
30 min: Wales needed a rush of blood from the Latvians to score their goal having missed a few chances and that should calm them down. There’s more goals in this for Rob Page’s team. Latvia get a free-kick in a good position and make a Horlicks of it; there is very little threat from the Baltic boys.
Goal! Latvia 0-1 Wales (Ramsey, 29 pen)
It’s so cool, the keeper giving him the freedom of the goal by going early. Slotted in and Wales lead deservedly.
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Penalty to Wales!
27 min: Ramsey the skipper is seeing plenty of the ball, and suddenly Harry Wilson is baulked by Dubra in the box. Wilson goes down. Dubra can have few complaints…
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25 min: Roberts’ header, from Ben Davies’ fine pass and Neco William’s cross and the goalie has to make a save. A well-constructed move from Wales.
21 min: And there we have it: Tobers absolutely tobers into young Jordan James, leaving the young man spreadeagled all over the show.
19 min: A rare Latvia attack and Ikaunieks chases down the ball but can’t keep it in. It looks pretty hot out there.
17 min: It continues to be all Wales. Latvia know their job and they’re sticking to it by siting back in numbers. Harry Wilson takes a thump when he is tackled by Ikaunieks, the No 10 dropping very deep.
14 min: Joe Pearson gets in touch again: “As I am an old man, all but Slowdive are very familiar to me. So Slowdive it is! Since you mentioned Cream, I have to recommend the documentary ‘Beware of Mr. Baker’, absolutely fascinating!”
I was an original, floppy-haired fan in 1991, when their first EPs came out. They came back about 10 years ago. Last two albums great, the song Star Roving a modern classic. But Souvlaki Space Station is the classic album, an almost ambient, spacey sound.
Love that documentary. Not sure I would like to have met Ginger. I heard his last days were spent watching the Talking Pictures TV channel over here, a station recommended to all retro-heads.
13 min: Scott Blair gets in touch: “Kristers Tobers is a name to conjure with. I don’t know for sure if the meaning is unique to Scotland, but it would be perfectly acceptable here to suggest that “The big Latvian defender sprints out and absolutely tobers poor Aaron Ramsey.”
Big Tobers is nowhere near Brennan Johnson, who gets a clear sight on goal and then, clatters the ball over.
11 min: Wales continue to dominate possession, too. Their fans making all the noise, too. Danny Ward being regaled to the tune of Boney M’s Daddy Cool.
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9 min: Ben Davies nods the ball from a corner, almost idly so, and Ozols tips over. Latvia seem there for the taking.
7 min: It continues to be all Wales in terms of threat. Quite some noise in that stadium, perhaps coming from the rugby club. The other end of the field has some housing behind it. Good trip, Riga. Went 18 years ago, and had a lot of fun. The local firewater – Rīgas Melnais balzams – is undrinkable and left an unremovable stain on my desk at work.
5 min: Joe Pearson emails in: “What’s the soundtrack for today’s match? Looking for something new to me, and you always come up with interesting recs. BTW, have you seen ‘Justified: City Primeval’ yet? Sparks’ ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough for the Both of Us’ makes a significant appearance in the finale.”
Had a delivery just this morning, headlined by Stephen Stills’ Manassas album, The Troggs, Derek & The Dominoes, Cream, James Brown, The Animals, The Seeds and, an actual new album by Slowdive.
3 min: Within seconds, Ethan Ampadu sends away Brennan Johnson, on the burst, and he’s almost through on goal, only to miss his chance. Will Wales live to regret that or get more joy? Not long after that, Ampadu heads a corner over. Good start from Wales, but poor finishing.
1 min: And away we go in Riga, where behind the goal Wales are defending, the Latvians are attacking an open end to what looks like a rugby club behind it.
And after that, there’s a minute’s silence for the earthquake in Morocco. It’s not anywhere near a minute but the point is well made.
Some rather doomy, scary trumpets and deep, deep drums preceded the game kicking off, the type of music that accompanies an imminent atrocity in a war film.
Two well-sung and well-appreciated anthems later and are ready to rock in Riga.
The teams are in the tunnel and Elis James, as mentioned below, is in the crowd.
@elisjames meeting and greeting in Riga. pic.twitter.com/qNIL33lx4b
— John Brewin (@JohnBrewin_) September 11, 2023
For Euro 2024’s hosts, it’s been a torrid weekend.
Have some Football Daily on the bloke who will just not go quietly.
Looks like a warm night in Riga.
Wales fans getting right in the spirit. 40 minutes until kick off. 🏴 pic.twitter.com/DRgrRIge16
— Glen Williams (@GlenWilliams12) September 11, 2023
Latvia team is here
Ozols, Savalnieks, Dubra, Cernomordijs, Ciganiks, Emsis, Tobers, Jaunzems, Krollis, Ikaunieks, Uldrikis. Subs: Purins, Sorokins, Oss, Daskevics, Ikaunieks, Iljins, Tonisevs, Zelenkovs, Regza, Balodis, Saveljevs, Zviedris
Jordan James, the teenager, and his selection in midfield takes the headlines. He’s the latest young star to come from the Birmingham production line that gave the world Jude Bellingham. And while the expectations should not be aimed that highly, he’s a talented player Wales fans will be delighted to see.
Here's the Welsh team
Wales XI: Ward; Mepham, Rodon, Davies; Roberts, Ampadu, J. James, Williams; Ramsey (C), Wilson; Johnson. Subs: A. Davies, King, Fox, Brooks, Matondo, Cabango, Bradshaw, Cullen, Sheehan, Broadhead.
Not much has changed since Elis James wrote this piece.
Wales played South Korea last week, a goalless draw with little enthusiasm in the buildup or aftermath.
Ben Fisher is in Riga for the match.
The Wales captain, Aaron Ramsey, insisted the mood in the camp is upbeat despite defeats to Armenia and Turkey in June fostering concern among the fanbase. “We have a good chemistry here and everyone enjoys being away with Wales,” he said. “We know how much it means to everyone. Everyone is looking forward to this game. They’re a physical team, a direct team and it’s not always easy when you come off the back of a result, so we’re expecting a response. We’re going to have to stand up to that and show we can deal with it.”
Early team news: Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and wing-back Wes Burns have withdrawn from the Wales squad due to injuries. Joe Morrell and Kieffer Moore are already suspended for a game Wales need to win to keep alive hopes of automatic qualification for next summer’s Euro 2024 finals in Germany.
Preamble
Two Euros and a World Cup, Wales didn’t half have a bad run in recent qualifiers but they have crashed back down to Earth this time around. Manager Rob Page, such a credit at Euro 2020 and in reaching Qatar, has come under serious pressure for the failings of his team in trying to qualify for Germany. In all likelihood, Wales have to hope that they can get third or qualify through the back door. Wales have won one of their past 13 matches, and that was against Latvia, who haven’t won in nine matches. Something has to give there, right? Right?
