A tepid Wales tasted home defeat in their first international of the year and build up to the Euro-2012 campaign starting in September aginst Sweden at Swansea City's Liberty Stadium.Wales build up was hampered by the horrific injury suffered by Aaron Ramsey last weekend and overshadowed by manager John Toshack not selecting his previous Captain and in-form Craig Bellamy with reasons undisclosed so far. In his absence, former Cardiff City man James Collins was given the captain armband.
It meant another young side and, as usual, a dijointed friendly as the meximum of 6 second half subs were introduced.
Wales: Myhill (Hennessey 46), Gunter, Williams, Collins, Morgan, Bale (Nyatanga 67), Collison (Crofts 71), Davies (Cotterill 64), Vaughan, Evans (Earnshaw 46), Church (Vokes 53).
Subs Not Used: Eardley, Dorman, King.
In front of 8,256 fans, Wales started strongly winning corners with Ched Evans having a shot put behind and Collins seeing a header swept off the line but the visiotrs settled and were denied a rightful lead midway through the half as Toivenon had a goal ruled out for offside when he looked clearly onside, tv repleays confirmed that. Larsson of Birmingham missed by a fraction with a 30 yard free-kick.
However it mattered little as Bolton Wanderers Johan Elmander netted on half-time having a 25 yarder pushed around the post and firing into the top corner from just inside the box as the resulting corner fell his way.
The second half was poor watching and resembled a training session for long periods as it lacked all tempo and urgency, the succession of changes not helping. Both sides went close but the Swedes proved good value for their win. Wales will know they must do much better.
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