Leeds United quartet will not return early after Wales play-off heartbreak | OneFootball

Leeds United’s Welsh quartet will not return to Thorp Arch early despite Wales’ World Cup play-off exit to Bosnia & Herzegovina on penalties.

The Football Association of Wales confirmed in December that, if Bosnia won the semi-final in Cardiff, Cymru would instead play a friendly on Tuesday, with national teams required to play twice in an international window.

Ethan Ampadu captained Wales, with club-mates Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon and Daniel James also starting. James smashed in a superb 51st-minute strike from around 30 yards. Darlow then saved brilliantly from Ermedin Demirovic, but Edin Dzeko flicked in a corner with four minutes left. It finished 1-1 after 90 and 120 minutes, before Neco Williams and Brennan Johnson missed in the shootout.

Darlow, Ampadu and Rodon completed the full 120 minutes. James was withdrawn on 85 minutes and did not take a penalty.

Ampadu said the team were devastated but felt they had prepared well and fought for everything, adding they might have managed the closing minutes better and would reflect in time. James called the late equaliser gutting, praised the team's extra-time effort and thanked supporters, insisting they would be back stronger. Darlow spoke of pride in Wales’ style, described a young group that is growing and looked ahead hopefully to brighter times.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk