Football Association of Wales

Match Report - Wales 4 - 0 Bosnia-Herzegovina

17 Nov 2007

Players

Substitutions

Goals

Cards

Officials

Referee: Stefano Podeschi (San Marino)

Assistant referee 1: Manuel Giusti (San Marino)

Assistant referee 2: Massimo Zanotti (San Marino)

4th official: Gugliemo Marconi (San Marino)

Other information

Attendance: 759

Report: Coach Brian Flynn will have been delighted to see his U21 side collect a second straight victory in their quest for qualification in the European Championship and this win will stand them good stead for Tuesday night’s return fixture with France at Ninian Park.

Three goals in the second half were enough to see off a decent Bosnia-Herzegovina side that battled throughout the 90 minutes, but just did not possess the goal threat that Wales did with their twin strike force of Sam Vokes and Ched Evans.

Wales opened the game brightly and took the game to their opponents and the deadlock was broken on 29 minutes after concerted pressure from the home side finally told.

A Joe Jacobson corner from the right was only partially cleared by the Bosnian defence and Mike Williams’ follow up with a shot from outside the box that took a wicked deflection off midfielder Shaun MacDonald and trickled over the line as visiting keeper Novica Berak was left flat footed.

It was no more than Wales deserved after efforts from Jacobson, Joe Collison and Evans had all threatened the visitors’ goal.

Bosnia had hardly been seen as an attacking force, but twice from corners the giant OFK Beograd striker had seen efforts go narrowly close, the second being saved on the line by Wales keeper Owain Fon Williams on 37 minutes.

Despite some spirited play by Bosnia in the minutes after half time, it was Wales who scored a second on 54 minutes, when the tall figure of Sam Vokes headed home from close range after good work by Swansea City’s Joe Allen on the right wing.

The game was put beyond the Bosnian’s on 72 minutes when a 50-yard run down the left touchline saw Bournemouth forward shake off two challenges before finally pulling his pass back into the path of Ched Evans for the Manchester City frontman to curl an effort round the keeper inside the far post.

Evans showed his ability again on 83 minutes when opening up the Bosnian defence with three blue shirts trying to close him down, but he was still aware enough to pick out the unmarked Nicky Adams, although the substitute, with his first touch in the match, blazed high over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

The evening was capped with a superb solo goal from newly discovered Welshman Jack Collison, when he danced through three challenges inside the Bosnian penalty area before firing home from just a couple of yards out.

After the final whistle Brian Flynn said: “I’m really excited about the players coming through, as I think we have a talented bunch who will only get better as they progress.

“We gave a very good display this evening, after working hard all week and this performance has showed that with the quality of our display and finishing.

“The boys are now really relishing Tuesday night’s clash with the French in Cardiff.”

By Karl Pedersen.

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