Neco Williams needed all of 20 minutes to have Wales fans drooling.
Roars of ‘NECO, NECO, NECO’ rang through a packed Cardiff City Stadium during Wales’ World Cup qualifying semi-final against Austria when the attacking full-back – operating in an unorthodox left wing-back role for Wales – took no prisoners and left two Austrian defenders in ditches near their own corner flag before dancing beyond the debris and skirting a dangerous low cross into the box.
Nothing came of the threat and Austria booted the ball long as Wales railed forward again, but the 15 seconds of scintillating skill served as something of an announcement from the 20-year-old on his 18th appearance for his country. When Williams picked up the ball again on the halfway line not a minute later, baying Wales fans were already at attention, imploring the defender to shoot as he reached the fringes of the box. From then, Williams played as if a released man.
