Rob Page, coach of the Wales National Football Team, which drew 1-1 with Turkey at home in the eighth and last match of the UEFA 2024 European Championship (EURO 2024) Qualifiers Group D and finished the group in 3rd place, said that Turkey deserved to finish the group as leaders.
Making a statement at the press conference held after the match played at Cardiff City Stadium, Page said, “There was a difference between our game in the first half and the second half. Because our opponent switched to a different game. Turkey changed its strategy by making substitutions, and we had difficulty in adapting to this. In the second half, we had a harder time adapting to this.” We had to switch to a different order. We had to put more pressure on our opponent and this caused us to spend more energy. We tried to put the full-backs in the front area and the players showed the performance I wanted, but the second half was more difficult for us. We put the pressure we wanted in the first half, the second half We couldn’t do it.” he said.
“I congratulate Turkey for its group leadership.” Page said, “Turkey definitely deserved to finish as the leader of the group. They have played a very consistent game so far and achieved this result. I have no doubt that they deserve the leadership.” he said.
Rob Page: “Why didn’t you consider your striker Moore in the starting 11?” “I didn’t want to use him because he couldn’t get much playing time in his club. He didn’t have match tempo and I didn’t want to take risks.” he replied.
The Wales National Team Coach claimed that the position in which they expected a penalty in the first half was 100 percent a penalty.