Bale to the rescue as Wales snatch US draw on World Cup return

Tim Weah’s magnificent American goal in the first half, which threatened to dampen the joyous atmosphere surrounding Wales’ much anticipated return to the World Cup for the first time since the 1958 tournament in Sweden, was wiped out by the penalty shootout thriller. A sizable and boisterous Welsh presence among the 43,418 spectators at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium outside of Doha erupted in cheers upon Bale’s equalizer. Following a lackluster first half performance, Wales manager Rob Page gave his team a pep talk at halftime, according to Bale.

“Obviously a difficult game. First half was not how we wanted to play,” said Bale.  “The US played well and we played poorly. We played really well in the second half.  “Good point, but we would have loved to have had three.”  Page paid tribute to the 33-year-old Bale’s nous in winning the penalty.  “He’s very good at finding those spaces,” Page said. “He’s intelligent, he’s got a wise head to get in those positions and he used all his wisdom there.”

Up until the last-second penalty, Wales appeared to be headed for a loss as they battled to dismantle the second-youngest team in the competition but very skilled and motivated US team. As they prepare for their tough Group B match against England on Friday, coach Gregg Berhalter acknowledged that his team had been discouraged by their inability to hold on for win. The first-game point was hardly the end of the world, according to Berhalter. “When the team entered the locker room following the game, you could see their disappointment. The men labored arduously. In the end, we came up just a little short of winning.

– Menace –

Wales were outplayed for long periods of the first half, with manager Page’s decision not to start towering centre-forward Kieffer Moore depriving them of a crucial attacking outlet. Instead it was the US who made all the early running, with Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic a constant darting menace. The positive early play almost resulted in a goal when Weah’s whipped-in cross almost forced Joe Rodon to head into his own net.

The US exuberance led to a flurry of cards for the Americans early on, with Sergino Dest and Weston McKennie both booked for wild tackles on Neco Williams.  The relentless US pressing game meant Wales were unable to construct anything in midfield, where Aaron Ramsey and Ethan Ampadu were rarely afforded time or space.  The breakthrough came on 36 minutes. Good hold-up play by Josh Sargent near halfway sent Pulisic accelerating towards goal before picking out Weah, who had darted in behind goal.

The son of African football icon George Weah showed terrific composure, dinking a cool finish with the outside of his right foot over Wayne Hennessey for a goal that was no less than the US deserved. Wales were in disciplinary soon afterwards, Bale earning a yellow card for clattering into Yunus Musah on 40 minutes.

Chris Mepham joined the Welsh captain in the book after hauling Pulisic down near half-time. Page brought on Moore at half-time for Daniel James and the substitution immediately started to have an effect. Tottenham’s Ben Davies almost headed Wales level on 64 minutes but was denied by goalkeeper Matt Turner with an acrobatic parry over the bar. Moore powered a header just over from the ensuing corner.

Wales pressed harder in their pursuit of an equalizer as the US dropped deeper. After 80 minutes, Bale received a cutback from Ramsey after charging down the right, who then shielded the ball and provoked Zimmerman into a reckless lunge. Bale stepped up to save Wales after Abdulrahman Al-Jassim of Qatar pointed to the spot. On Friday, Wales plays Iran in the second Group B match. On Monday, England defeated Iran by a score of 6-2.