It’s likely too much is now being made of Gareth Bale’s retirement from international football in the media this week. Bale now forms part of what was before not what is to come, and the wider media’s infatuation with Bale possibly also displays their lack of knowledge on Wales international football matters.
Swansea City’s Joe Allen has also drawn a close on his international future leaving the likes of Ollie Cooper and Liam Cullen to step forwards in to this current Wales squad. Today we will see a Wales side with ex and current Swansea City players available for selection, and the Swans initially were the only Welsh side to contribute at the the start of this campaign. Much has been said about Cardiff City players Rubin Colwill and Mark Harris, but their initial non inclusion didn’t come as a surprise. Swansea born Harris has since been called up due to squad withdrawals.
Beneath the first team squad we see numerous players from both Swansea and Cardiff’s academies and it looks like a bright future is ahead. However, that won’t help manager Robert Page today with Brennan Johnson of Nottingham Forest now withdrawn as well, and eyebrows have been raised. Speaking on Thursday Page said, Page explained: "First and foremost I feel for Brennan. He wants to play international football like everybody else. As we know, playing for your country is something very special, it shouldn't be taken for granted, by anyone. Everybody who has got a responsibility for Brennan should respect that and help him in any way they can." Making reference to his injury against Spurs, Page illustrated his frustrations at how he was managed, saying: "We were aware of something last week and then he went and played 90 minutes on the Friday and wasn't available to meet up on the Sunday."
The references to Page’s woes up front are a little wide of the mark, Bale contributed little during the Qatar World Cup, and the likes of Cullen will bring far more energy and commitment than a lacklustre Bale who most certainly retired at the right time.
The Three C’s !
Cullen, Cabango and Cooper have all come through Swansea City’s much admired academy, amd they all feature in the Wales squad in Croatia today. Connor Roberts now at Burnley, Spurs players Ben Davies, sadly withdrawn, and Joe Rodon all did the same. Dan James signed on for the club from Hull City, a sixteen year old under 18 prospect. There’s very few folk out there who would argue the Swans have the most productive and exciting academy in Wales by a long way. With a clear preference for pace, Page seems to be setting Wales up to be a counter-attacking side. "We need to get the next group of players coming through now. We've seen the athleticism from some of the teams at the World Cup and we need that to keep us at the top table. We need energy and pace in the team. We are already in the process of doing what we need to make us competitive."
Cooper and Cullen fit that bill for sure.
Aaron Ramsey gains his countries captaincy after deciding to play on after the World Cup. Ramsey speaking this week is excited by the prospect. "It’s very exciting to be part of this team. There’s so much opportunity for us. Although we are a young squad, there are a lot of young players on a high number of caps already. The majority of the team has remained intact. We are missing players but there’s so much excitement with some of the players that are playing at the highest level at the moment and can definitely make their own history with this team.”
It will be Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia, a relatively injury free side with Luka Modric still in the squad after he decided not to hang up his boots following the tournament in Qatar. Any result be that a win or draw will be welcomed by Wales, a narrow defeat with a good performance won’t harm matters if Wales can deliver on the pitch. Croatia are unbeaten in thirteen matches at home and are odds on favourites with yet another huge red wall support in Split this evening.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Croatia vs Wales is scheduled for a 7.45pm GMT kick-off today, Saturday, March 25, 2023. The match will take place at Stadon Poljud in Split.
Head to head, history and results
Croatia wins: 4
Draws: 2
Wales: 0
S4C / BBC will cover the game LIVE