Welsh World Cup Dreams Over

I was sadly disappointed for Wales last night yes the ref missed a penalty call for Wales but these days I am not one for jumping around shouting at the tele blaming match officials for their mistakes, it’s made so leave it at that. I enjoyed the game myself and I was entertained but for the score line.

I think Ireland came into the game with the better game plan and executed it to perfection out foxing Chris Coleman who could move on after this. Before the game kicked off seeing the way, the teams lined up I knew the Irish were here to soak up the pressure on the pitch and from the stadium, snatch a goal, and shut the door on Wales.

There was plenty of excitement to the build up to the game and a full stadium.

The game started with the Welsh national anthem, sung with some heart by 30,000 home fans, not to be forgotten, stirring is the apt word. Wales fed off the energy of their supporters and the opening of the game was at a high tempo but early on, the Irish plan was there to seen. They planned to frustrate the Welshman survive the early barrage. However, the dogged persistence of the Irish soon came apparent as their goalkeeper had little to worry him nor did the Welsh keeper to be honest.

Wales controlled much of the first half but were frustrated by the stout defending and the sometimes-rugged physicality of their opponents not dirty, like many Welsh fans are shouting. For all the possession, an early Hal Robson-Kanu header and a Tom Lawrence shot saved were some of the moments of the first half the loss through injury of Joe Allen was a real blow to Wales. Half time the game was all square.

After the restart the game pretty much picked up where it left off Wales pushing for the opening goal but catalogue of errors involving Wayne Hennessey, Ben Davies and Ashley Williams gifted Ireland with a goal that left Wales needing to win, scoring two goals an uphill task. As I predicted soon as Ireland got the lead they shut up shop tight, which they did leaving little chance to break them down but the Welshman kept knocking on the door but Ireland have played this tactic before and won.

I have noted social media is awash with ‘Dirty Irish’ but like most pundits I thought it was a good game but fairly played I saw nothing, more than I see at any televised games to make this game dirty.

A win will not put Ireland into the World Cup finals in Russia they will have to play a home and away play-off game.

I think even if Gareth Bale was fit and playing the outcome would have been the same. The Irish boss previously told the press he would not make any special plans to cater for Bale. Chris Coleman admits his Wales tenure may be over after World Cup heartbreak the players want him to stay and so do most fans. Who would replace him? Not Ryan Giggs for Christ sake.