Cancer survivor David Brooks scores as Wales ease pressure on coach Rob Page
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Wales' David Brooks scoring their second goal in a 2-0 win against Latvia, which provided relief for coach Rob Page.
PHOTO: REUTERS
RIGA – Bournemouth winger David Brooks was welcomed back with open arms after scoring his first international goal since returning from a cancer diagnosis, as Wales kept their chances of reaching Euro 2024 alive with a 2-0 win away to Latvia on Monday.
The 26-year-old, who was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma in October 2021, returned to playing at club level only in March.
On Monday, he came off the bench to help secure a vital three points in stoppage time for manager Rob Page, whose future was in doubt after a run of one win in 13 games before this clash in Riga. Their previous win had also come against Latvia in Cardiff in March.
Wales captain Aaron Ramsey, whose 100th career goal from the penalty spot in the first half put the visitors in front, told Welsh TV channel S4C: “It wasn’t easy to come here. A lot of teams have come here and struggled.
“To come here and win with two goals is fantastic. Brooksy as well, it’s good for us. He’s so important for us and it’s nice for him to score. We’re just happy to have him back.”
Page, who had nurtured Brooks at Under-21 level, hugged the winger after the win, which came after defeats by Armenia and Turkey in June damaged their qualification chances.
He said: “The pressure came from the outside, understandably, but we never questioned it within the group.
“I’m extremely proud of the players. I think the camp have been outstanding.
“I’ve got a group of players in there who enjoy playing football for me.”
Wales’ poor run has led to calls for the coach to be sacked, but the former Port Vale and Northampton Town boss was unperturbed.
“I don’t get bogged down with all that,” he said.
“That’s noise that I don’t need. I know I am doing all right.”
The lack of a clinical goalscorer since Gareth Bale’s retirement from international football was evident as Wales’ inability to add to Ramsey’s goal until stoppage time led to a nervy finale.
Janis Ikaunieks’ deflected shot hit the side netting late on to deny the world No. 134 side a first point in qualifying.
Instead, Brooks, who came on in the 49th minute, produced a classy finish to dink the ball over Roberts Ozols to finally double Wales’ lead.
Page’s men go level on points with Armenia and are three behind Turkey in the battle for the second automatic qualifying spot in Group D, with all three teams having three games remaining.
Croatia moved to the top of the group, with a game in hand, after winning 1-0 in Armenia earlier on Monday, thanks to Andrej Kramaric’s first-half goal. AFP
