We are ten minutes away from more World Cup action. Can Australia get the point they need to reach the round of 16 for the first time since 2006? Or can Denmark win and show some of the promise that everyone was expecting from them? Scott Murray will be hammering away at the keys for this one …
In the other Group D match, Tunisia need to stage a World Cupset™ against much-changed holders France to stand any chance of progressing, and bring in a whole set of complicated equations involving goal difference. France will sail through to the next round regardless of what happens today. Will Unwin is at the helm for that …
Thank you for reading today, that is it from me, Martin Belam. I will be here with you again tomorrow. Huzzah!
Ben Fisher in Doha has some more reflection on Wales for us:
Wales head home to Cardiff with one point and one goal to their name. “Everyone looked at the group and thought: ‘Maybe they’ll do this or that’ but we played against three very good teams,” said the defender Connor Roberts. “I know England blew Iran away, but they are no mugs and they showed that against us.”
Rob Page said the frustration really rankles because his team did not show their true colours. But maybe this is just where Wales are at now, the leading lights of the team dimmed. Ever since taking the reins, at first on a temporary basis and then permanently, signing a four-year contract in September, Page has spoken of key players regularly turning up for duty undercooked. Bale and Ramsey moved to California and the south of France respectively, effectively to prepare for this tournament, but the cautious optimism now looks misplaced.
Page will review his options between now and March, when Wales begin their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign in Croatia. By the time that tournament comes around, Bale will be touching 35, Joe Allen 34 and Ramsey 33. There is unlikely to be great change but Wales must evolve. Joe Rodon, Neco Williams and Brennan Johnson, will surely be given responsibility. The same goes for Ethan Ampadu who at the age of 22 has amassed 40 caps, as many as John Toshack and more than John Charles. Ampadu headed down the tunnel in tears at full-time on Tuesday.
Read more here: Ben Fisher – Wales need evolution on the pitch despite World Cup successes off it
