Paper of Record soccer correspondence Emmet Malone can barely contain himself in his match report of last nightâs game. He has nearly as much to say in his official match report about Eire than he does about what transpired in Lille last night. Bizarre piece of journalism.
Having seen his side so decisively outplayed by Belgium, this will have made grim enough viewing for Republic of Ireland manager Martin OâNeill. The Derry man will try to resist the temptation to embark on a schoolyard style calculation on how many Wales might now be expected to beat Ireland by when the two sides meet in the forthcoming World Cup qualification campaign. Perhaps instead, Chris Colemanâs side will drop points early on due to a Euros hangover.
Maybe but you said Wales rely totally on counter attacking football to play well. Last night proved that isnât the case. They went for Belgium on the front foot and bossed them in that first half. They also did the same to Russia and destroyed them.
Belgium were leaving massive gaps in their defence at all times as well as having a poor defence playing anyway. They have benefited from teams constantly underestimating them, apart from Northern Ireland of course
But in three of the four games theyâve won, possibly all four (my memory of the Slovakia game is hazy but I seem to remember Wales having at least as many chances as Slovakia), theyâve played on the front foot and won. Thatâs a very different scenario to what youâve painted by saying they rely on counter attacking football. Theyâve proved they can play on the front foot and win impressively.
Maybe yeah fair enough. Looking back, what I should have said is that they find it difficult to break down teams who plan their game on having an organised defence against them. For example I wouldnât fear them playing against us but against teams that will think they are better than them they will look good