Wales booked ended a 64-year wait on Sunday by booking their place at the 2022 World Cup – and Leeds star Dan James has earned praise from Welsh media. The attacker was given an 8/10 rating, by Wales Online.
James, 24, has been a regular for Leeds in an up-an-down season in which he only scored four times in 37 games. But he was used out of position amid a huge injury list – before a straight red card against Chelsea in May.
However, the England-born ace earned his 33rd cap for Wales on Sunday at the Cardiff City Stadium. The objective was clear, beat Ukraine and Wales would qualify for their first World Cup since 1958.
- Newcastle and Tottenham want Leeds star, but Elland Road is his best move
- Robin Koch an unsung hero at right-back in Leeds’ final games of 21/22
They did just that, thanks to Gareth Bale’s deflected free-kick. But they had Wayne Hennessey to thank in goal for numerous saves, and Tottenham star Ben Davies for his defensive blocks.
“He carved out a number of promising opportunities for his team, but perhaps laboured to show the sort of fluency displayed in Poland,” Wales Online report, handing James an 8/10 rating.
“Then again, his harsh early yellow card, and the difficult conditions may well have had something to do with that. A spirited showing nonetheless and he was clearly earmarked as a big danger by a physical Ukraine defence. Subbed.”
Leeds star James earns Wales praise: Discipline becoming an issue?
James was excellent. While Leeds fans will have recognised that lack of edge when it comes to his finishing, or his decision making in the final third, he got Wales up the pitch. His work rate was infectious.
Constantly giving the Ukraine defence something to worry about, he was an outlet on the left flank and gave his defensive teammates a breather. But his yellow card early on was a clear sign of lacking discipline.
Shouting at the referee in his face for an early yellow given to Joe Allen, James really needs to learn to reel it in. It comes after a red card at Chelsea and a yellow card for squaring up to Palace’s Joel Ward. Something to work on.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
