Cymru Manager Rob Page has emphasised the need for improved discipline within the team, especially when facing opponents skilled in the “dark arts” of football. The team’s latest setback came in their 2-0 European Championship qualifying defeat to Turkey, during which midfielder Joe Morrell received a red card, leaving Cymru with 10 men for the second consecutive game. Morrell’s dismissal, for a studs-up challenge on Ferdi Kadioglu, followed Kieffer Moore’s recent red card for kicking Armenia goalkeeper Ognjen Chancharevich.
Losing players to red cards has become a recurring issue for Cymru, with goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey being sent off against Iran in the World Cup last November, and Ethan Ampadu and Harry Wilson receiving bans during the delayed Euro 2020 finals two years ago. Frustrated with this pattern, Manager Page expressed his disappointment, saying, “We should be disciplined enough to keep 11 players on the pitch.”
Regarding Moore’s red card, Page remarked, “Kieffer’s fallen for it on Friday, the keeper knew exactly what he was doing. It’s the softest red card, but you lift your foot and you open yourself up for a red card.” Reflecting on Morrell’s dismissal, he added, “Joe is the same. He has not got it in him to hurt somebody, but you lift your foot and you’re asking the question.”
Despite the setback against Turkey, Manager Page commended the team for frustrating their opponents and expressed his pride in their performance. However, he emphasized that Cymru should not have to endure such challenges with 10 men, stating, “We’ve got to learn from it because these teams are good at the dark arts and we’ve got to know not to retaliate.”
The defeat against Turkey in Samsun has significantly hindered Cymru’ chances of securing a top-two qualifying spot in Group D. They currently sit in fourth place, five points behind leaders Turkey, with Armenia and Croatia also ahead of them, having played fewer matches.
Commenting on the situation, Page acknowledged that both Armenia and Croatia are capable of gaining points, as demonstrated by Armenia’s recent victory over Latvia. He stressed the need for a winning mentality, stating, “There’s loads of points to play for and we have got to have that mentality where we have got to win every game now.”
While Cymru may not finish in the top two, they are almost certain to secure a play-off place, which would provide another opportunity to qualify for Euro 2024 in Germany. Midfielder Ethan Ampadu expressed optimism, stating, “Lucky there’s still games to play and while you have a chance there’s still every hope… the belief is still there that we can go (to Euro 2024).” He acknowledged that the current camp has not been the team’s best, but looked forward to the opportunity to rectify their performance in September.
Cymru’ Euro 2024 qualifying campaign will resume with an away game against bottom-placed Latvia on September 11. This will be followed by a home match against Croatia in October and a November double-header away to Armenia and at home against Turkey.
