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Wales national football team
Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage
Oct 13, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
Croatia national football team

1-1

Bale (45')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Vlasic (9')

Ryan Giggs praises "streetwise" Daniel James

Ryan Giggs praises
© Reuters
The 21-year-old winger was clattered by defender Domagoj Vida during the Euro 2020 qualifier with Croatia.

Wales manager Ryan Giggs called Daniel James "streetwise" to stay down after a heavy collision and insisted the Manchester United winger had passed concussion protocols to continue playing in the Euro 2020 qualifier against Croatia.

James was clattered by Domagoj Vida in the 14th-minute of the 1-1 draw at the Cardiff City Stadium, with the Besiktas defender booked for his rash challenge.

The 21-year-old looked as if he would have to be substituted when a stretcher was sent on to the pitch, but he was able to rejoin the action after receiving lengthy treatment from medics.

"The physio came over but there was no problem," Giggs said. "We did all the (concussion) tests at half-time and he was fine."

James has twice been booked for simulation since joining United in a £15million move from Swansea last summer.

Giggs has defended James in the past, saying he is not a diver and needs greater protection from referees.

But Giggs suggested James was not as badly injured as many had feared after being sent sprawling by the combative Vida.

"He stayed down and was a bit streetwise," Giggs said.

"He told the doctors 'I'm not moving, I'm just sitting still'. Not to get anyone sent off, he was just using his nous."

Wales v Croatia – UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying – Group E – Cardiff City Stadium
Croatia's Borna Barisic (left) and Wales' Gareth Bale battle for the ball (Nigel French/PA)

Wales kept their Euro 2020 qualification hopes alive after Gareth Bale struck in first-half stoppage time to cancel out Nikola Vlasic's ninth-minute strike.

Bale's 33rd goal for Wales, slotting home after some determined play from Ben Davies, gives them hope going into the final two rounds of matches next month.

Wins away to Azerbaijan and at home to Hungary would secure qualification, as long as Slovakia do not collect more than four points from their last two games.

Slovakia's next game is in Croatia, with the World Cup finalists needing a point to reach the European Championship next summer.

"We showed character coming back, we didn't panic," Giggs said.

"We showed commitment, but quality as well. I don't get a lot of time with them, but what they showed doesn't surprise me as I see the quality in training.

"We have played two teams, Slovakia and now Croatia, who can hurt you."

Wales must head to Azerbaijan next month without the influential Joe Allen.

The Stoke midfielder collected his third booking of the competition and will be suspended for the Baku clash.

"He knew he was on a booking, but I don't think he realised there was a player behind him," Giggs said.

"We will miss his composure but we've players who can come in.

"Joe Morrell was fantastic to come on in that situation against Croatia.

"We have to win our last two games but that point could be vital.

"We're relying on Croatia to beat Slovakia, but we need to win our two games. It won't be easy."

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Gareth Bale during a Wales training session on October 12, 2019
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Cyprus Cyprus00000
2 Georgia Georgia00000
3 Norway Norway00000
Q Scotland flag Scotland00000
Q Spain Spain00000

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q France France00000
2 Gibraltar flag Gibraltar00000
3 Greece Greece00000
Q Netherlands Netherlands00000
5 Ireland Rep. Ireland00000

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England00000
Q Italy Italy00000
3 Malta flag Malta00000
4 Macedonia N. Macedonia00000
5 Ukraine Ukraine00000

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Armenia Armenia00000
Q Croatia Croatia00000
3 Latvia Latvia00000
Q Turkey Turkey00000
5 Wales flag Wales00000

Group E

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Q Albania national flag Albania00000
Q Czech Republic Czech Republic00000
3 Faroe Islands Faroe Islands00000
4 Republic of Moldova Moldova00000
5 Poland Poland00000

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria00000
2 Azerbaijan Azerbaijan00000
Q Belgium Belgium00000
4 Estonia Estonia00000
5 Sweden Sweden00000

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Bulgaria Bulgaria00000
Q Hungary Hungary00000
3 Lithuania Lithuania00000
4 Montenegro Montenegro00000
Q Serbia Serbia00000

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Denmark Denmark00000
2 Finland Finland00000
3 Kazakhstan Kazakhstan00000
4 Northern Ireland flag N. Ireland00000
5 San Marino flag San Marino00000
Q Slovenia Slovenia00000

Group I

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Andorra flag Andorra00000
2 Belarus Belarus00000
3 Israel Israel00000
4 Kosovo flag Kosovo00000
Q Romania Romania00000
Q Switzerland Switzerland00000

Group J

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Bosnia Bosnia H'vina00000
2 Iceland Iceland00000
3 Liechtenstein flag Liechtenstein00000
4 Luxembourg flag Luxembourg00000
Q Portugal Portugal00000
Q Slovakia Slovakia00000


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