Evening all. So, domestic football has taken a back seat for a few days and made way for a batch of international friendlies. Here, on
Sports Mole tonight, we'll be concentrating on two British nations that defied expectations to reach Euro 2016 -
Wales and
Northern Ireland.
First of all, though, let's get the two starting lineups...
TEAM NEWS:WALES: Hennessey; Gunter, Matthews, Chester, A Williams; Vaughan, Ledley, G Williams, Cotterill; Lawrence, Vokes
NORTHERN IRELAND: McGovern; McLaughlin, McAuley, Evans, Cathcart; Dallas, McNair, Davis, Norwood; Lafferty, Washington
We already knew about this of course, but the headline news for Wales is that talisman Gareth Bale is not involved. The 26-year-old, who netted seven goals in Euro 2016 qualifying, has stayed at Real Madrid after only just recovering from a muscular injury. Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is also absent with a knee problem.
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The likes of Hal Robson-Kanu, James Collins, Andy King, Paul Dummett, Ben Davies and Tom Bradshaw are also sidelined by various complaints. Experienced campaigner Ashley Williams does feature, though, and captains the side. There is also some further experience on the bench in the form of Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen.
As for the visiting Irish, the big news is that the previously uncapped Conor Washington will make his debut. The striker recently switched from Peterborough United to Queens Park Rangers in the Championship. But he actually made his name in the professional game while playing for Newport County, so it seems somewhat fitting that he will make his international bow on Welsh soil.
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Elsewhere, it appears that Manchester United defender Paddy McNair may operate in a midfield role, with his ex-teammate Jonny Evans in central defensive. Further forward, fresh from
completing a loan move to Birmingham City, Kyle Lafferty starts in attack.
WEATHER WATCH! These pictures perhaps don't show it too clearly, but it has been teaming down with rain in Cardiff. It will certainly make for a slick playing surface.
Right then - Wales. Despite the weather, there should be a good atmosphere tonight from a country that is still buzzing from the fact that their football team has qualified for a major tournament. The last time Wales did so was at the World Cup in 1958. While much of the credit has understandably gone to Bale for his goals and leadership on the pitch, the influence of Chris Coleman should not be overlooked. He inherited an awful situation when replacing the late Gary Speed and lesser characters may well have crumbled.
All of which makes his contract situation an odd one. His deal runs out after Euro 2016 and you would expect the Welsh FA to be demanding talks over an extension, but that does not appear to be the case.
Talking about the situation with BBC Sport, the 45-year-old said: "My focus is here - it has always been here," Coleman, 45, told BBC Wales Sport. "I haven't worked this hard to get to where we are to start thinking about something else.
"I'm the manager of Wales. We've got Northern Ireland, Ukraine, then Sweden, then we go into a tournament, which is where we've always wanted to be. I'm very much in the middle of that, looking forward to it, and that's where my sole focus is."
And here is Coleman leading his players off the team coach:
Let's not forget about the visitors either because their achievement in qualifying is arguably even greater, especially when you consider the resources that are available to Michael O'Neill. Their group of Romania, Hungary, Finland, Faroe Islands and Greece was hardly packed full of big names, yet Norn Iron were not expected to win it like they did. It's a fantastic job that Michael O'Neill has done so far and unlike Coleman, he has been rewarded with a new contract.
Here is what he had to say to reporters about this game:
"At this stage of the season, both sets of players have their eye on the summer. We want the game to be competitive, but there is an element of common sense prevailing for both sides as well. They are missing a few players, we are missing a few players as well. There are players coming in who will want to impress. I'm not overly concerned about that aspect."
And here are the Irish players arriving at the Cardiff City Stadium earlier today:
Despite all the positivity that has come with qualification, the Northern Ireland fans that have made the short trip have probably done so more in hope than expectation. That is because their away form in friendlies is rotten. O'Neill has never won one during his time in charge, while the team has not scored on the road in a friendly since August 2006. In total they haven't won for 13 matches, 10 of which have ended in defeat.
The players are now out on the pitch in Cardiff and the anthems are underway. Not long now until we are off and running. It's still lashing down by the way!
Some support coming in from the Spanish capital for Wales:
There will also be a 60-second silence before this game gets started to pay respect to those that lost their lives in the recent terror attacks in Belgium.
KICKOFF! Hosting Wales gets proceedings started.
A decent start for Wales as Lawrence feeds the ball out wide for George Williams. The winger's cross is a dangerous one, but no Wales players have gambled and the chance goes begging.
Another good cross - this time from Wales full-back Gunter - is swung into the Northern Ireland area. On this occasion Vokes has gambled, but he's just beaten to the ball by McNair, who bravely heads clear the danger.
I was thinking the same thing. It's certainly odd from both managers.
Some potentially bad news for Wales because Vokes is limping. Burnley boss Sean Dyche will certainly not want him risked, so it will be interesting to see how that develops.
Well, whatever was troubling Vokes appears to have passed. He is now moving more freely.
SAVE! At last, some action! It comes from Wales attacker Cotterill, who drives a free kick goalwards. It bounces awkwardly in front of McGovern, yet the Northern Ireland goalkeeper watches the ball all the way and pushes the ball wide.
If truth be told, there is very little happening in Cardiff. It has a real friendly feel about it.
Wales are certainly sending in some dangerous crosses tonight. It's Cotterill this time from the left, but George Williams cannot get on the end of it at the back post.
The only thing this game is lacking right now is a Mexican Wave! It's been that dull!
CHANCE! Wales are the only side posing an attacking threat at present, yet you don't get the impression that they are going to score. Vokes gets up to meet Cotterill's corner and heads well over.
CHANCE! Cotterill again swings in a corner from the right, only for Chester to predictably head way off target.
HALF TIME: WALES 0-0 NORTHERN IRELAND
Well, that was instantly forgettable. A poor first half has come to a close in Cardiff.
In fairness to Wales they have at least posed a bit of an attacking threat, they have just lacked the necessary quality to make the most of it without Bale and Ramsey. The crosses have been of a decent quality as well, but no-one has made the most of them yet.
As for Northern Ireland, there is very little to say. I suppose they have defended quite well, but that is about it. They have offered very little in the final third.
RESTART! We're back underway and there have been two changes for Wales as Ward and Crofts come on for Hennessey and Ledley.
SAVE! Some early work for Wales debutant Ward in goal. The ball breaks for Lafferty eight yards from goal. However, he hits his shot straight into the ground and it gives Ward the chance to make the stop.
Well, the break has done nothing to liven this game up. The atmosphere inside the ground is understandably flat as well.
GOAL! WALES 0-1 NORTHERN IRELAND (CATHCART)
That's woken me up from my snooze! The visitors lead and it's a neat finish in fairness. Wales fail to fully clear a corner and the ball breaks for Catchcart, who fires a low half volley beyond the reach of Ward. For a centre-back, that's a very, very good goal.
On
BBC Sport, here is how former Northern Ireland defender Gerry Taggart called that goal:
"A smart set piece by Northern Ireland but Wales were fast asleep. I think that's a finish Dean Saunders would be proud of by Craig Cathcart! He turned, swung and bang - it's in the bottom corner."
WALES SUBS: Another double change by Wales as Jonny Williams replaces his namesake George and there is also a debut for Isgrove, who comes on for Lawrence.
Sadly, the goal has done little to liven up proceedings. It's gone back to being a mundane encounter pretty quickly.
WALES SUB: Another switch for Wales sees Liverpool's Allen take the place of Vaughan.
NORTHERN IRELAND SUBS: It's Evans and McNair off for Ireland, with Danny Lafferty and Paton entering the action.
WALES SUB: And another switch for Wales, this time up front with Church coming on for Vokes.
NORTHERN IRELAND SUBS: Kyle Lafferty and McLaughlin come off for the Irish, with Hughes and McKay coming on. The substitutions are providing the only entertainment right now!
There's three minutes left here in Wales. Can the home side grab a late equaliser? It's not looking likely...
PENALTY TO WALES!
GOAL! WALES 1-1 NORTHERN IRELAND (CHURCH, PEN)
What an earth is McAuley doing? Church is going away from goal, yet the Ireland defender needlessly goes to ground inside the box and the Wales striker takes a tumble. The referee points to the spot and up steps Church to do the honours from 12 yards out. We are level.
FULL TIME: WALES 1-1 NORTHERN IRELAND
Well, the less said about that game the better! It certainly wasn't a good advert for international friendlies. But, to be fair to Wales, they certainly did not deserve to lose that game so the late goal was a warranted one.
That is all we have time for from Cardiff. Thanks for joining Sports Mole this evening and until next time, goodbye.
