By Daily Sports Nigeria on September 26, 2022

Karol Swiderski's second-half winner consigned Wales to Nations League relegation after an underwhelming 1-0 home defeat in Cardiff.

The Charlotte FC striker - who also scored the winner in the reverse fixture in June - latched onto Robert Lewandowski's deft flick to beat Wayne Hennessey 12 minutes after half-time and secure Poland's own future in the League A of the Nations League for another cycle.

Wales named an attacking line-up, spearheaded by returning captain Gareth Bale, but rarely caused Wojciech Szczesny serious problems despite knowing only victory would be enough to see them leapfrog Poland and keep their place at the competition's top table.

Dan James was twice denied in quick succession in their best chance of the opening 45 minutes before Brennan Johnson saw the Fulham loanee inadvertently deflect his goalbound effort wide.

Bale flicked a header against the bar in added time as Wales rallied late on, but it was too little, too late to avoid a return to League B after only one tournament in the Nations League top tier.

Wales' win-or-bust condition was echoed by the attack-minded side named by Page, with Bale flanked by the pace of Johnson and James to attempt to catch Poland out on the break.

But the visitors, knowing a point would be enough to keep them in League A, were in no hurry to take control of the game and instead concentrated on frustrating their hosts, whose one moment of joy before half-time did come from a swift counter-attack.

James was released over the halfway line by some quick thinking from Ben Cabango but was twice denied by Szczesny, after forcing himself wide with a heavy touch.

The Fulham loanee then may have played some part in denying his country an opener, finding himself in the way of Johnson's goalbound shot after good work to nip in ahead of Kamil Glik.

Wales did end the opening period in the ascendency but lacked that same vigour after half-time, with Poland seizing an opportunity to give themselves a cushion to survival with a bright start to the second period, culminating in the only goal of the game 12 minutes later.

With Nicola Zalewski given freedom to roam down the left flank he picked out Lewandowski on the edge of the box, and the veteran striker's inch-perfect flick with his back to goal set Swiderski free in the area, from where he coolly slotted through Hennessey's legs.

Even that did not spark the urgency in the Wales squad which was needed, but as the game ticked towards its final throes it finally arrived. Levi Colwill shot straight at Szczesny while Johnson and Dylan Levitt both blazed over, although it was not until the fourth minute of added time that Bale went close to forcing an equaliser when nodding substitute Sorba Thomas' cross against the woodwork.

Even a goal then would have likely proved only a consolation in Wales' hopes of beating the drop, as they were left to dwell on an underwhelming performance which deserved as little as it got.

Source Sky Sports

Posted September 26, 2022

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