10/09/2008 - Russia v Wales Fans
Venue: Moscow, Russia.
Back Row (Left to Right): Kevin Davies, Gwyn Evans, Will Johnson, Perry Morgan, Neil MacNamara, Phil Olyott, Peter Moffatt, Stephen Richards, Owen Williams, Paul Evans.
Front Row (Left to Right): Jason Morris, Tim Hartley, Gregory Spencer, Nick Rees, Darren Hobbs, Alan March, John Hughes.
On Wednesday afternoon the Wales Supporters team gathered once again to do battle. The game took place on Astroturf outside the Luzhniki Stadium where Ryan Giggs lifted the famous Champion's League trophy back in May.
With a lot of first team regulars unavailable, Wales manager Neil Dymock was forced to hand out several new caps. Before the game Neil had been coaching some Russian children on the basics of football. His experience and knowledge of the game was there for all to see as Neil's team beat a side coached by Vadim Evseev, who had scored THAT goal at the Millennium Stadium back in 2003 for Russia.
The game started badly for Wales and within 10 minutes they found themselves 2-0 down due to some poor defending. Wales had to pick themselves up and they did so through Owen Williams who went on a Cristiano Ronaldo type run beating 3 players but saw his effort well saved by the Russian keeper. Wales started to play some good football but could not find the net with several efforts.
Wales where then punished for not taking their chances and found themselves 3-0 down after William Johnson lost possession in midfield. Johnson a surprise inclusion in the team looked off the pace. Manager Neil Dymock was not happy and when asked if Johnson would play again. He replied "Will needs to take a long hard look at himself. There are other midfielders who are knocking on the door at the moment and he needs to prove to me that he is worthy of a place in the squad." So does this mean the door is now open for Robbie Savage? Only time will tell!!
(Robbie finished playing for Wales in 2004 and Will went on to become Wales' all time leading goalscorer before his retirement in 2016)
With half time approaching the Welsh defence was out done once again and went in at the break 4-0 down. The Welsh crowd where not happy and made their feelings clear to some of the players such as Will.
The second half started as badly as the first, with Russia going on a rampage and netting 4 more goals within 15 minutes. Not even the experience of Phil Olyott and Perry Morgan could keep the Russians out. With 10 minutes left on the clock Wales finally scored, after good build up play and some nice touches a deflected cross was turned in to the net by a Russian for an own goal
The final whistle came to Wales' rescue and the teams made their way to the main match after enjoying some good Russian hospitality, Owen Williams was named Wales Man of the match and received his plaque from a member of the British Council in Russia who generously sponsored the match.
