As he looked over the remains of one of the most embarrassing defeats in the history of the country's football, Rob Page said that Wales' Euro 2024 qualification loss to Armenia was a necessary "slap."
Despite being ranked 97th in the world and 71 places lower than Wales, Armenia shocked everyone by winning 4-2 in Cardiff.
With a win in Cardiff, Page's team, which earned four points from games against Croatia and Latvia in March, would have taken first place in Group D.
Instead, they suffered their first home defeat in a European Championship qualifying match since 2011, falling to third place in the group when Turkey defeated Latvia 3-2. Monday's away qualification for Wales is against Turkey in Samsun.
They significantly fell short of the previous expectations, according to Page. "I didn't anticipate that. I've been genuinely stunned by it.Everything takes place for a purpose; perhaps this is the reality check we need.Everyone is getting carried away and has glassy eyes. There are no terrible teams now, despite the fact that we had a strong start in March. "Look at what Turkey had to do in the 96th minute against Latvia."
Wales took the lead early on thanks to Daniel James' sixth goal in international play, but Armenia took advantage of some terrible home defense to lead at the half-hour mark through Lucas Zelarayan and Grant-Leon Ranos.
Ranos helped Armenia expand their lead before Harry Wilson cut the gap in half with 18 minutes remaining.
Prior to Zelarayan's second goal, Ranos hit the post. Twelve minutes from time, Kieffer Moore was dismissed for kicking goalkeeper Ognjen Chancharevich, ending Wales' hopes of a comeback.
Moore, a Bournemouth striker, will now miss the Turkey game, according to Page, who also stated that Wales will not appeal Moore's dismissal.
Before the game, Page recalled, "I felt so upbeat and confident, and I didn't see that coming.
I was just as astonished by that as everybody else.We were too expansive and that's not what we're all about. The principles of what we stand for, what we represent, and the hard work.
blogpay
