Daniel James got a cool assist for Wales - The Square Ball 17/11/21
MADE ONE
Written by Moscowhite • Daniel Chapman
Daniel James did a really cool bit of skill and got an
assist in the international football. No, I don’t mean Raphinha! (He was too
busy getting decked.) I mean Dan James! It’s not a mistake! Other players can
do cool stuff. This was cool for Wales and cool for Dan.
Wales had gone behind early in their final qualifying match,
a do-or-don’t game to decide their play-off ranking, against the world’s number
one rated side, Belgium, strong Benelux opposition. Kevin De Bruyne scored,
Thorgan Hazard casually volleyed off the post and wide, and how were Wales
going to defy this with Gareth Bale missing the game injured, with Tyler
Roberts left on the bench?
With Dan James’ help, that’s how. Bunny-hopping through the
middle then wide all night next to Kieffer Moore, he sprinted inside then
outside the right-back to collect a pass on the half-hour. His cross was, let’s
face it, awful. But the Belgian block sent the ball back to him and now he
attacked the problem like prime Pablo Hernandez. Scooping the ball over
someone? No problem, even if it hits them on the way. Now for the control: off
the thigh, yep, then bouncing into his chest, eh, it’ll do. Especially compared
to the way the Belgies tried defending his cross. High kicks and air kicks and
then, as if stunned, they stood and watched while Kieffer Moore picked his spot.
Well done Daniel! (Sometimes I like writing those words just to hear them.)
Those touches weren’t quite as good as he imagined them but he made the goal
happen.
Back in the game! ⚽
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) November 16, 2021
Kieffer Moore equalises for Wales against Belgium after a great bit of play from Dan James out wide 🏴
📺 Watch live on Sky Sports Football pic.twitter.com/mYEuSsmwWP
He nearly set up another in the second half, harassing
Dedryck Boyata out of a nap, cutting the ball across the penalty area for
anyone, but only getting Connor Roberts, who ran up like his tongue was out and
his lip was bitten and he was concentrating really hard and corkscrewed the
ball halfway to Gloucester.
No worries! James did some more rapid sprints up the left,
Leander Dendoncker stopping him with a yellow card challenge, because there
were ten minutes left and Belgium weren’t winning and he hated this kid running
at him so fast. Koen Casteels had to pull off a heck of a full-length save to
keep a powerful Neco Williams shot out of his goal’s corner.
In the 85th minute there was applause for Gary Speed, whose
handsome photograph frowned down from the big screens. He’d have been grinning
if he was there in body as well as spirit. Wales had a seeded World Cup
play-off spot riding on their draw but were enjoying having Belgium where they
had them. They even seemed to enjoy the six minutes of stoppage time when
Belgium put Wales where, theoretically, they wanted them. In the end Wales
didn’t even need to bring T.Roberts off the bench. Dan James’ brave imagination
booked the best World Cup route they could get.