Wales ended their Uefa underneath 17 championship marketing campaign with a 1-1 draw in opposition to Croatia of their ultimate group recreation on Sunday night on the Dasaki Stadium in Achna.
That they had already been mathematically eradicated with a 3-0 defeat to eventual Group B winners Austria on Thursday, however Sunday’s end result ensured they completed on a optimistic be aware.
In a primary half of few probabilities, Wales had extra of the ball, however struggled to penetrate a well-organised Croatian defence within the opening exchanges.
Their greatest likelihood early on got here from a uncommon Croatian defensive mix-up, with goalkeeper and defence unable to resolve who was to cope with a bouncing ball.
Oliver Bostock acquired to it first and tried a lobbed shot which was saved by the outstretched hand of Croatian goalkeeper Antonio Rajic. The Welsh gamers protested that Rajic had been exterior his penalty space when he made the save, however referee Pierre Gaillouste waved away the protests.
On the different finish, Croatia had been in a position to create a variety of probabilities of their very own, with Bruno Durdov’s rasping shot forcing a save from Welsh goalkeeper Max Hudson, earlier than his shot two minutes later hit the underside of the crossbar.
It was Durdov who put Croatia forward halfway via the primary half, the sturdy prevailing winds in Achna blowing his in-swinging nook over Hudson and into the Welsh web.
Wales had been degree ten minutes later via a set piece of their very own. Cruz Allen was the scorer, a curling free kick assembly the hand of Antonio Rajic, who might solely palm it in off the left-hand publish.
Croatia practically instantly restored their lead, with Luka Vrzic forcing one other good low save from Max Hudson. Hudson then denied Tomas Bakovic along with his fingertips two minutes later as Croatia pushed to regain the lead they wanted to qualify for the quarter finals.
Wales then completed the primary half with a few probabilities of their very own, an ideal flip by Ronan Kpakio organising a well-worked transfer with Cruz Allen and Elliot Myles, the latter’s shot flashing throughout the face of the Croatian purpose.
Louis Griffiths then attacked down the left-hand aspect, forcing a save from Antonio Rajic with a shot from 20 yards to make sure the perimeters went in degree at half time.
The second half begun in comparable trend to the primary, with nothing greater than half probabilities being created by both aspect within the opening exchanges. Cruz Allen was unable to repeat his first half heroics with a direct free kick, and Noa Mikic’s drilled cross-cum-shot was handily saved by Max Hudson.
Wales had the primary real likelihood of the half, with a well-worked attacking transfer ending with Louis Griffiths twisting and turning earlier than getting a toe-punted shot away which was deflected into the aspect netting.
Of the 2 sides, they did create the higher probabilities because the half wore on, discovering extra space in behind Croatia’s defence than Croatia’s assault did in behind theirs.
Luis Gardner had a half-chance with a bouncing ball on the sting of the field which he fired over, whereas a run from Elliot Myles via the guts of the Croatian defence resulted in a shot from the sting of the field and an excellent save and catch from Antonio Rajic.
In stoppage time, Croatia piled gamers ahead, figuring out {that a} single purpose would see them via to the quarter finals. Nonetheless, Wales’ defence held resolute and prevented their opposition from creating any actual probabilities. The closest they got here was a half-volleyed shot from Duje Milisic which was extensive of the goal.
A small scuffle threatened to interrupt out on the finish as Croatian frustration boiled over, with their match delivered to an abrupt finish with the end result.
The attract Achna meant Denmark progressed out of Group B to the quarter finals regardless of a 4-0 drubbing in opposition to Austria on the Tasos Markou Stadium in Paralimni.
A Philipp Moizi brace within the first half and two quickfire objectives from Oghenetejiri Adejenughure separated the perimeters and ensured Austria topped the group.
Afterward Sunday, hosts Cyprus will play their ultimate recreation of the match in opposition to Ukraine on the AEK Enviornment in Larnaca. Each Cyprus and Ukraine had been eradicated from the match with defeats on Tuesday.
Throughout city on the Ammochostos Stadium, the Czech Republic and Serbia will face off, with each having certified for the quarter finals. A draw will see the Czech Republic qualify as group winners, whereas Serbia want a victory to complete in first place.
