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Rob Page delighted with Wales response after speculation over future
Rob Page delighted with Wales response after speculation over future
Rob Page welcomed Wales putting automatic qualification for Euro 2024 in their own hands after admitting he had been “fighting fires” before the stunning 2-1 victory over Croatia. Harry Wilson, winning his 50th cap, scored twice as Wales climbed above the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists in to second place in Group D. The two teams are tied on 10 points, six behind group leaders Turkey who secured qualification by beating Latvia 4-0 on Sunday. Wales are second by virtue of having a better head-to-head record against Croatia after also drawing 1-1 with them in Split in March. Wales’ win over Croatia, ranked sixth in the world and 27 places above the Dragons, came after pre-match reports that manager Page’s job could be in jeopardy. Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney had said earlier in the week that a “serious review” would take place on Page’s position following the final group games against Armenia and Turkey next month. Page is currently just over 12 months into a four-year deal. Page said: “I would say it’s the best performance (of his three-year reign), I am immensely proud. “There was unnecessary noise coming into it, with me fighting fires. I didn’t need any player to speak, I see the players want to play for me. “I had a text from the chief executive today, before that, not for five weeks. “I just want to concentrate on the football, we are two games away from qualifying for another major tournament, a fourth in five. “We believe we can do it. We need to do the same (in November) as we did in this camp.” Wales had never beaten Croatia in seven previous attempts, drawing three and losing four. But Wales had the better first-half chances – Dominik Livakovic denying Wilson and Neco Williams with smart saves – and took control after the break. Wilson raced on to David Brooks’ pass to score with a splendid chip and then converted Daniel James’ cross with a glancing header. Mario Pasalic ensured home anxiety 15 minutes from time with a close-range header, but Wales held on for a famous victory. Page said: “In all aspects, how we defended against an excellent team with one of the best midfields in the world was outstanding. “We are in a transition period where we’ve lost one of the best players in the world (Gareth Bale). We are introducing young players to strengthen us and improve us. “Seven of our 11 are not starting for their club. Chris Mepham’s last game was against Latvia. Kieffer Moore isn’t playing for his club. “But when they turn up for Wales they produce a performance like that. I am really proud of them as a group. “The players are an incredible bunch and it’s in our hands now. “I understand not everyone is going to be a fan of mine, but when you have a group of players playing like that for you, it makes you immensely proud.” Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic believes the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists face a tough task to qualify automatically after successive defeats to Turkey and Wales. Dalic said: “It is going to be difficult. We understand it is not all in our hands any more. We have to believe that we are going to be able to turn this around. “We just played both games without energy, we didn’t play well, we didn’t create any chances. Our opponent was more aggressive, tougher than us and we deserved to lose.” Read More Stephen Kenny not dwelling on past as Ireland return to Faro focused on victory Wales defeat Croatia to boost Euro 2024 qualification hopes Steve Borthwick hails ‘written off’ England after reaching World Cup semi-final Stephen Kenny puts speculation to one side for Gibraltar clash Jos Buttler tells England to ‘let it hurt’ after World Cup loss to Afghanistan Baltimore boss John Harbaugh thrilled to end ‘heck of a week’ in London on high
2023-10-16 06:53
Valenzuela knocks off Nordqvist as LPGA Match-Play quarter-finals set
Valenzuela knocks off Nordqvist as LPGA Match-Play quarter-finals set
Switzerland's Albane Valenzuela held on to beat three-time major winner Anna Nordqvist of Sweden 1-up on Saturday and reach the quarter-finals of the LPGA...
2023-05-28 04:25
Biden issues an executive order restricting U.S. investments in Chinese technology
Biden issues an executive order restricting U.S. investments in Chinese technology
In a sign of growing strains between the world’s two biggest powers, President Joe Biden has signed an executive order to block and regulate U.S.-based investments going toward China for advanced computer chips, micro electronics, quantum information technologies and artificial intelligence
2023-08-10 04:26
Mitt Romney to retire from US Senate after wild ride through Republican politics
Mitt Romney to retire from US Senate after wild ride through Republican politics
By David Morgan and Moira Warburton (Reuters) -U.S. Senator Mitt Romney will not seek reelection in 2024, capping a roller-coaster
2023-09-14 02:59
What to know as Prince Harry prepares to take on a British tabloid publisher in court
What to know as Prince Harry prepares to take on a British tabloid publisher in court
Prince Harry has become the royal family's most famous litigant in London
2023-06-04 14:17
Foxconn: Apple supplier drops out of $20bn India factory plan
Foxconn: Apple supplier drops out of $20bn India factory plan
Some analysts say Foxconn's decision marks a setback to the country's technology industry ambitions.
2023-07-11 11:56
Italian media say border police are under investigation over shipwreck that killed 94 migrants
Italian media say border police are under investigation over shipwreck that killed 94 migrants
Italian media are reporting that three members of Italy's border police force are under investigation in connection with a February shipwreck in which more 90 migrants died
2023-06-03 00:23
Save 33% on this unique LED sand lamp that doubles as a wireless charger
Save 33% on this unique LED sand lamp that doubles as a wireless charger
TL;DR: A light, charger, and artwork all in one — the Moving Sand Lamp by
2023-05-11 18:25
Kuwait's economic recovery faces 'substantial' risks - IMF
Kuwait's economic recovery faces 'substantial' risks - IMF
DUBAI Kuwait's economic recovery is ongoing but risks to the oil producer's outlook "remain substantial" and gridlock between
2023-08-23 21:48
Sabrina Carpenter under fire after filming 'inappropriate' music video inside church
Sabrina Carpenter under fire after filming 'inappropriate' music video inside church
Pop singer Sabrina Carpenter’s latest music video appears to have drawn the wrath of God – or his representatives, at least. Brooklyn bishop Robert Brennan criticised Carpenter’s music video 'Feather,' which was filmed at a church in New York, for being too raunchy. The video features Carpenter wearing a short dress as several men kill each other over her. It also shows her going to their funerals at the church. One of the coffins says: “RIP B****.” While the video is distinctly pedestrian by pop music standards, it appears to have disturbed Brennan, who said he was “appalled”. He also slammed the local parish for letting the filming take place at all, launched a full investigation and sacked the vicar, Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello. Yikes. “The parish did not follow diocesan policy regarding the filming on church property, which includes a review of the scenes and script,” Brennan’s statement read. Carpenter, meanwhile, seemed to see the funny side. Shortly after the bishop made his announcement, she published a behind-the-scenes video from the shoot, where she jokingly claimed to have built the church herself. The parish initially tried to blame the production company for failing to “accurately represent” the planned content of the video. However, Brennan’s investigation found that documents given to the parish “while failing to depict the entirety of the scenes, clearly portray inappropriate behaviour unsuitable for a church sanctuary”. After all this, Brennan also decided he needed to re-sanctify the church with holy water, just in case Carpenter’s music video had done some permanent spiritual damage. “Through the offering of this mass, Bishop Brennan has restored the sanctity of this church and repaired the harm,” the diocese said in a statement. Since its release on Tuesday, the Feather music video has since garnered more than 3m views. And social media users also found the episode amusing. Here’s what some of them had to say: How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-11-07 21:27
Walgreens unveils Chicago store with only two aisles and most products kept out of sight
Walgreens unveils Chicago store with only two aisles and most products kept out of sight
Walgreens just opened a redesigned store in a downtown Chicago neighborhood where most of the merchandise is intentionally kept out of sight.
2023-06-10 00:29
Elizabeth Holmes objects to government requesting she pay $250 a month to victims after prison
Elizabeth Holmes objects to government requesting she pay $250 a month to victims after prison
Elizabeth Holmes, the disgraced former Theranos CEO, has "limited financial means" and should not be forced to pay $250 a month to victims of her crimes after she is released from prison, her lawyers argued in a court filing on Monday.
2023-06-13 22:47