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Attendance: 31,745
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
Q Spain Spain870121
Q Scotland flag Scotland852117
3 Norway Norway832311
4 Georgia Georgia82248
5 Cyprus Cyprus80080

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q France France871022
Q Netherlands Netherlands860218
3 Greece Greece841313
4 Ireland Rep. Ireland82066
5 Gibraltar flag Gibraltar80080

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England862020
Q Italy Italy842214
3 Ukraine Ukraine842214
4 Macedonia N. Macedonia82248
5 Malta flag Malta80080

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Turkey Turkey852117
Q Croatia Croatia851216
3 Wales flag Wales833212
4 Armenia Armenia82248
5 Latvia Latvia81073

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Albania national flag Albania843115
Q Czech Republic Czech Republic843115
3 Poland Poland832311
4 Republic of Moldova Moldova824210
5 Faroe Islands Faroe Islands80262

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Belgium Belgium862020
Q Austria Austria861119
3 Sweden Sweden831410
4 Azerbaijan Azerbaijan82157
5 Estonia Estonia80171

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Hungary Hungary853018
Q Serbia Serbia842214
3 Montenegro Montenegro832311
4 Lithuania Lithuania81346
5 Bulgaria Bulgaria80444

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Denmark Denmark1071222
Q Slovenia Slovenia1071222
3 Finland Finland1060418
4 Kazakhstan Kazakhstan1060418
5 Northern Ireland flag N. Ireland103079
6 San Marino flag San Marino1000100

Group I

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania1064022
Q Switzerland Switzerland1045117
3 Israel Israel1043315
4 Belarus Belarus1033412
5 Kosovo flag Kosovo1025311
6 Andorra flag Andorra100282

Group J

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal10100030
Q Slovakia Slovakia1071222
3 Luxembourg flag Luxembourg1052317
4 Iceland Iceland1031610
5 Bosnia Bosnia H'vina103079
6 Liechtenstein flag Liechtenstein1000100


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