Rob Page calls the backing from his players ‘powerful’ after Wales beat Latvia
Wales manager Rob Page celebrates his side’s 2-0 win over Latvia in Riga (Tim Goode/PA)
Rob Page called the backing from his players “powerful” after Wales bounced back into Euro 2024 qualifying contention with a 2-0 victory in Latvia.
A penalty from skipper Aaron Ramsey – his 100th career goal – and a delicious David Brooks chip deep into stoppage time put Wales within three points of a top-two place and lifted the pressure on under-fire manager Page.
Group favourites Croatia’s 1-0 victory in Armenia was further good news for Wales, who had only won once in 13 games before arriving in Riga.
Manager Rob Page and players applaud the Wales fans after their 2-0 victory in Latvia (Tim Goode/PA)
Ramsey and others had backed Page during the build-up to a game many saw as pivotal in the manager’s tenure.
Page said of the players’ support: “It feels good, it feels powerful, absolutely – that’s a massive compliment to myself from the players.
“I’ve just said to them, even the lads that have not played, they all play a part. There are no bad eggs in that changing room.
“Pressure doesn’t exist, it is created from outside influence.
“We did our best as staff to try to not let that penetrate the bubble and keep as calm as possible.
Wales captain Aaron Ramsey opens the scoring from the penalty spot (Tim Goode/PA)
“We knew it was going to be a tough test for us after their heavy defeat. It wasn’t just about the win, I thought the performance was outstanding.
“For the first 35 minutes of the first half, we were outstanding, kept the ball. We got the goal and then retreated a little bit, which we’ll address.”
Wales had numerous chances to put the game beyond Latvia after Harry Wilson was bundled over in the box after 28 minutes and
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