Wales keep unbeaten home record going with draw against Czech Republic

Rubin Colwill scored his first international goal as Wales extended their unbeaten home record to 18 games with a 1-1 friendly draw against the Czech Republic in Cardiff.

Tomas Soucek put the visitors ahead in the first half, but Colwill instantly replied with a strike as clinical as his FA Cup goal for Cardiff at Liverpool last month.

It was a special night for Wayne Hennessey who became the third Welshman to win 100 caps after Chris Gunter and Gareth Bale.

The game had been arranged at short notice following the postponement of the Scotland-Ukraine World Cup play-off, with Wales awaiting the winners of that tie.

Wales made 10 changes from the side that had secured a World Cup play-off final place by beating Austria on Thursday, with skipper Bale among those rested.

Bale took his seat on the bench as Hennessey, who made his debut nearly 15 years ago, celebrated his milestone by wearing the armband.

Robert Page had stressed he saw the friendly as an exercise to give younger players an opportunity, and the Wales manager was as good as his word with Colwill, Ben Cabango, Brennan Johnson and Rabbi Matondo – all 21 or under – starting.

On-loan Rangers midfielder Aaron Ramsey was omitted from the matchday squad just five days before the Old Firm derby with Celtic.

The Czechs, fresh from World Cup play-off heartache to Sweden, arrived in Cardiff with doubts over the future of manager Jaroslav Silhavy.

West Ham midfielder Soucek led a side showing five changes from their extra-time defeat in Stockholm.

This was the Czech Republic’s second visit to Cardiff in the space of 12 months with Daniel James’ late header settling a World Cup qualifier in March 2021.

Wales drew the Prague return in October 2-2 and finished above the