Wales misplaced at dwelling for the primary time beneath Craig Bellamy as Canada claimed a 1-0 pleasant victory in Swansea.
Latest Rangers signing Derek Cornelius planted a free-kick from 25 yards previous dwelling goalkeeper Adam Davies simply earlier than the interval and Canada have been effectively well worth the win.
In actuality, it was something however a pleasant as English referee Robert Jones brandished eight yellow playing cards, with each side responsible of overstepping the mark at instances.
Bellamy had entered the competition with a profitable file of 54.5 per cent – the very best share of any everlasting Welsh supervisor – from his 11 video games in cost.
The one loss had are available a World Cup tie in Belgium, however Wales might depend themselves lucky to not undergo a heavier defeat as Canada hit the woodwork twice and spurned a number of different scoring alternatives.
This was Wales’ first go to to Swansea since a Covid contest in 2020, and the primary in entrance of a crowd for 12 years, and Bellamy made wholesale modifications after their marathon 7,000-mile spherical journey to Kazakhstan on Thursday.
Kieffer Moore’s winner had stored alive Welsh hopes of ending high of their World Cup qualifying group, however the Wrexham striker was amongst eight gamers stood down as skipper Ben Davies, Neco Williams and Harry Wilson remained.
Craig Bellamy’s facet beat Kazakhstan final week
Cardiff right-back Ronan Kpakio made his debut and Leeds midfielder Charlie Crew his first begin, two youngsters aged 18 and 19 respectively.
Bellamy selected Canada – three spots above Thirty first-placed Wales within the FIFA rankings – as pleasant opposition given his admiration for the 2026 World Cup co-hosts and the “robust check” he needed. He definitely obtained his want.
It was the fourth assembly between the 2 nations with Wales main 2-1, and Canucks supervisor Jesse Marsch’s first sport on British soil since his departure from Leeds in February 2023.
Juventus striker Jonathan David was the star title within the Canada line-up.
Kpakio was spared an inauspicious starting as Richie Laryea tumbled beneath his third-minute problem.
Jones appeared to really feel that Laryea caught his studs within the turf, however Kpakio breathed an enormous sigh of aid as play was waved on.
David Brooks failed to attach with Mark Harris’ cross in entrance of objective and Daniel James noticed his effort pushed out by goalkeeper Dayne St Clair.
However Canada menaced with each assault, Ismael Kone hanging the within of a publish from David’s cute backheel and Tajon Buchanan and Laryea betrayed by a scarcity of composure.
It was solely Wales’ third defeat since June 19 2023
An open begin gave strategy to a fractious affair with Jones brandishing six yellow playing cards inside 36 minutes, together with one for an exasperated Marsch.
Canada continued to knock on the door as Luc De Fougerolles’ flicked a volley on to the crossbar, and it lastly opened after 41 minutes by way of Cornelius’ fabulous free-kick.
It was a extra even contest after the break as De Fougerolles headed Harris’ overhead kick off the goal-line and Crew directed a Wilson nook straight at St Clair.
Wales survived when Tani Oluwaseyi pounced on Ben Cabango’s mistake and blazed over.
Late bookings for substitutes Rhys Norrington-Davies and Jayden Nelson took the warning depend to eight, as Harris wasted a late alternative to present Wales a share of the spoils.
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