'Ethan Ampadu could have played Ireland in his slippers!' British and Irish media blown away by Wales
Friday 7th September 2018
Manager Ryan Giggs wasn't the only one being lauded for masterminding Wales' stunning 4-1 UEFA Nations League victory over Ireland on Thursday night.
Chelsea's 17-year-old rookie Ethan Ampadu was sharing the limelight with the Manchester United legend for a commanding show in the Cardiff City Stadium rout.
Former Liverpool and Ireland defender Phil Babb was among the pundits heaping praise on the Stamford Bridge tyro demanding Blues boss Maurizio Sarri take a long hard look at the teenager.
Here's what the media said...
Phil Babb (Sky Sports)
Ethan Ampadu has got composure beyond his years. The world is his oyster. I think Maurizio Sarri has to look at him and say 'wow - what a player I've got here'.
He could have been playing in slippers , he was that good.
Outclassed, outplayed, out-thought....and I have not said that in many years for an Ireland side.
It was so one-side that it beggars belief. They didn't have the answers and looking at the absentees, I don't think they'd have made a difference.
No communication, no defensive awareness and that us a big problem because Ireland have been so good away from home recently. Tonight, they had nothing.
Wales were enjoying their football and playing with a smile on their face. Ireland could not live with them. The different between the two sides was vast.
Wales 4-1 Republic of Ireland
Alex Terrell (The Sun)
Wales exacted revenge for last year's World Cup heartache by thumping a hopeless Irish team.
Wales were playing like a team still licking their wounds from a year ago.
Ethan Ampadu — who can legally buy alcohol next Friday — put in the sort of performance that suggests he could be the next Mr Chelsea and Mr Wales for a decade and more.
The 17-year-old's assist for Ramsey's goal showed the sort of youthful ball-running Giggs and Bale showed at the same age — yet he was a deep-lying midfielder.
He rightly walked off to a standing ovation when replaced by Matthew Smith on 67 minutes.
Passing, free-flowing, confident and on the front-foot — Denmark's full-strength stars will want to watch out on Sunday, let alone their Futsal squad.
Roy Keane stood on the touchline with his fists clenched and the death stare that has made his reputation the world over.
The Red Wall started chanting "Keano, what's the score?" at him, and the gaze only grew darker.
Ireland could use some of his famous on-field leadership — and so much more.
Wales 4-1 Republic of Ireland
Daniel McDonnell (Irish Independent)
This was a mismatch, with Wales fully in control from the outset en route to a comfortable victory. By half-time they were three ahead, with Ryan Giggs obliging when the home supporters asked if he could give them a wave.
For the natives this was a celebration. For the visitors, a humiliation.
Wales were confident and organised, youthful and technically assured. All of the qualities that Ireland lacked.
This was always going to be a difficult match for Martin O'Neill after a troubled preparation and the loss of several key players.
In his worst dreams, he could never have imagined fielding this starting side for a game of consequence.
There would have been understanding if they fell just short against a team with better players. But there was nothing honourable in this loss.
James Nursey (Daily Mirror)
Ryan Giggs' side produced a superb exhilarating attacking display on his first home game charge of Wales after three matches on the road.
They tore into Ireland in an barnstorming start to make good on Giggs' pledge to deliver attacking football.
It vindicated Giggs' call to hand out four full competitive debuts to four youngsters as he puts his own mark on the side after succeeding Chris Coleman.
The superb Ampadu,17, showed impressive strength and confidence to barge Jonathan Walters off the ball before picking out Ramsey to net.
Ramsey, Lawrence and Bale all combined to tee up Roberts to lash in a left-foot shot from the top of the box in the 55th minute.
The Welsh fans certainly did as they repeatedly sung Giggs' name took his new-look team to their hearts.
But Giggs and Bale know they will face a stiffer test on Sunday in Denmark , who reached the last 16 of the World Cup.
Emmet Malone (Irish Times)
Wales had no more surviving starters from last October’s encounter than their visitors.
With Gareth Bale back and a significant injection of young blood they looked an altogether different team, one the Irish never looked remotely capable of physically subduing this time.
They struggled to cope with the pace, passing and movement of a side that seemed to have taken Ryan Giggs at his word when he had said on Wednesday that he wanted them go out and express themselves.
Being made to look second best by one of the world’s best footballers (Bale) is one thing but Ireland’s problems went much deeper than that with the likes of Brooks and Connor Roberts, 21 and 22 respectively, thriving in the space they were being given to get on the ball then run at opponents.
Liam Mackey (Irish Examiner)
The only bit of good Nations League news out of last night for Ireland is that, with Denmark’s stand-off with their federation now resolved, they are sure to present a rather more formidable obstacle to Wales in Aarhus on Sunday than sorry Ireland were able to muster in Cardiff.
But then, on the basis of last night’s horror show for the visitors, you suspect that so might the Danish futsal team.
The Welsh crowd, lustily singing the praises of Ryan Giggs while merrily heaping abuse on the team which had crushed their World Cup dream, didn’t want the half to end.
In stark contrast, Ireland had the look of a side who were already wishing the referee’s whistle was the final one.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.