By David Williams
Ryan Giggs says Wales should be proud of their unbreakable defence that has seen them go over 10 hours without conceding a goal in competitive matches.
The Wales manager was reflecting on a job well done after watching his young squad extend their unbeaten run in competition to nine games with a 1-0 Nations League win in Bulgaria.
Substitute Jonny Williams marked his 25th Wales appearance with his first goal, sweeping home Neco Williams‘ near-post cross five minutes from time.
The win was achieved without the stellar cast list of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen, while other key figures such as David Brooks, Joe Morrell and Kieffer Moore were also absent.
“I’m so proud of the players, it was a great performance,” Wales manager Giggs said after watching his side score a late group winner for the third time in four matches.
“The players have got to keep believing in the way we play and that’s not easy.”
Although beaten by England in a Wembley friendly last week, Wales have not lost a competitive game since June 2019.
It is an unbeaten run that has included six consecutive clean sheets, with Wales not conceding a goal in over 600 minutes of football.
It is now 621 minutes of football since Croatia striker Nikola Vlasic was the last player to score a competitive goal against Wales.
“We’re proud of the defensive aspect and that’s the team, not just the defenders or the goalkeeper,” Giggs said.
“We want to press from the front and be aggressive, and we’re doing that. The players put a real shift in. They’ve looked after themselves this week.
“I’m really pleased with the result, but we also played some of the best football I’ve seen in a long time.”
“These young players have not experienced it before, but they kept their concentration and players off the bench made an impact.
“I’ve said before it’s just that final bit of composure. We saw it in the second half when we could have scored more goals, but we’ll learn.
“It’s a young team and the more you get in those positions the better your decision-making becomes.
“It’s been a tough week. Three away games, four different hotels, three Covid tests and a lot of suspensions and injuries.
“We’ve had a lot to deal with as a group, but I was so proud of the players.”
Finland had taken top spot in Group B4 before Wales kicked off in Sofia by beating the Republic of Ireland 1-0 at home.
But Wales’ promotion hopes to League A are firmly in their own hands with closing home games against the Republic and Finland next month.
“We’ve put ourselves in a good position with two home games, but we can’t take it for granted,” Giggs said.
Jonny Williams scored the winner against Bulgaria last night. It was his first goal for Wales.
I feel like a proud father.
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) October 15, 2020
“We can’t be complacent. We’ve got to keep going and keep believing. Hopefully, we will also have a few bodies back for the November games.”
It was a familiar sinking feeling for Bulgaria, who lost in Cardiff last month when Neco Williams struck in stoppage time, heading home namesake Jonny Williams’ cross.
Five weeks on, the favour was returned as Neco Williams crossed five minutes from time and Jonny Williams, winning his 25th cap, swept home superbly at the near post.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” says the 27-year-old Charlton Athletic player.
“At times I did wonder when I’d score my first Wales goal and I still can’t quite believe it.
“There were times when I wondered if I’d ever be back in a Wales shirt a couple of years ago.
🧙♂️ What a night for Jonny Williams!
His first goal for his country and it earned @Cymru a 1-0 win over Bulgaria 🏴 #cafc pic.twitter.com/8hrifVu0iD
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) October 15, 2020
“It’s been such a rollercoaster for me. I’ve had so many highs in a Wales shirt but at club level I’ve been knocked back quite a few times.
“But since I’ve been under the gaffer [Ryan Giggs] here for Wales, he’s always given me a chance to play at this level and I’m just glad I can repay that faith.”
“We’re missing some world-class players so to come away with three points shows how far we’ve come as a squad.
“It’s a young squad and I’m probably one of the oldest ones now!
“It’s great to help them come through and give them confidence, like Gareth [Bale] and others did for me. Hopefully we can keep the run going.”
