Why Leeds United quartet will not return early after Wales World Cup heartbreak | OneFootball

Leeds United’s Welsh quartet will not return early to Thorp Arch this week despite their play-off exit, with the Welsh FA confirming in December that defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina would be followed by a Tuesday friendly, as teams must play twice in an international window.

Ethan Ampadu captained Wales, with Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon and Daniel James also starting. James smashed in a superb 51st-minute strike from about 30 yards.

Edin Dzeko levelled by glancing in a corner with four minutes left. It finished 1-1 after 90 and 120 minutes, with Neco Williams and Brennan Johnson missing in the shootout.

Darlow, Ampadu and Rodon each completed 120 minutes on Thursday and will remain in camp for the friendly.

"We're lost for words. We prepared as well as we could have and I thought we played well. That's something we can look at in the future, but for now it's a lot of disappointment." He was speaking to Match of the Day Wales.

James said it was tough to take, felt Wales played really well, was gutted by the late equaliser and praised the effort in extra time, adding the fans were incredible and the squad will be back stronger.

Darlow described the group as devastated after giving everything, said they could be proud of their style and young talents, and felt the team are growing with hopefully exciting times ahead.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk