Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane has aimed a furious rant at Wales after a trio of Leeds United players were involved in a desperate first half at Wembley against England.
Wales arrived at Wembley with high hopes that Craig Bellamy could inspire an upset, as he named three Leeds United regulars in his team to face England.
However, by the end of the first half, goalkeeper Karl Darlow was receiving sympathetic messages from Leeds fans online after he was forced to pick the ball out of his own net three times in the first 30 minutes.
Things got marginally better for the visitors in the second half; Wales held England at bay in the second half, ultimately losing 3-0, with Joe Rodon standing tall in a chastening defeat.
However, the Leeds trio and their Wales teammates felt the full ire of Roy Keane, who was heavily critical of their first-half performance.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty ImagesRoy Keane takes aim at Wales team featuring Leeds United trio
Speaking at half-time on the ITV coverage of the game, former Man Utd midfielder Keane was heavily critical of Wales’ first-half performance.
England had free rein in possession as Ethan Ampadu and the rest of the Wales midfield were frequently overrun, prompting Keane to accuse Wales of failing to compete.
Comparing Wales to a lower league team involved in a cup tie with a Premier League side, an irate Keane said: “They are just not competing, Wales.
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“They had a bad start and never recovered. They are shellshocked.
“It’s like they’re a lower league team that has gone to play a Premier League team in the FA Cup.”
Ethan Ampadu struggled in the Welsh midfield
Few Welsh players escaped Wembley with credit in the bank; however, Ethan Ampadu struggled in midfield as England dominated the ball in the first half.
Ampadu eventually played just over an hour, and the FotMob statistics show that he fell below the standards that Leeds fans have come to expect from their captain.
Ethan Ampadu vs. England
- Minutes Played: 64
- Touches: 30
- Accurate Passes: 19 (76%)
- Ground Duels Won: 2/2
- Aerial Duels Won: 0/2
The Leeds man managed just 30 touches with 19 successful passes from 25 attempts, at an accuracy of just 76%. Ampadu also failed to connect with both of his attempted long passes.
He had more success in defence, winning both of his ground duels, but he lost both aerial duels on a difficult evening.