It was a mixed start for Swansea City defender Ashley Williams as permanent captain of the Welsh national team.
It was one win and one defeat he experienced, as the highs of defeating Scotland in Group A of European World Cup qualification were replaced by misery in Croatia on Tuesday night.
Williams (pictured) was guilty of a mistake for Croatia’s first goal in Osijek. His weak backpass left goalkeeper Lewis Price in trouble and his clearance was charged down by Mario Mandzukic.
Difficult moment to swallow
The Bayern Munich attacker had no problems in putting the ball into the empty net and giving the home side the lead.
It will have been a difficult moment to swallow for Williams, after his appointment to replace Aaron Ramsey as skipper.
Manager Chris Coleman has faith in his new selection, but did admit that he was annoyed with the way the first goal was conceded.
He said afterwards: “We were disappointed in the first goal we gave away.
“We just can’t keep a clean sheet – we make one mistake and concede.”
Although it wasn’t the finest moment of Williams’s career, the 28-year-old was slightly unlucky as the poor pitch conditions seemed to play a part in his backpass.
A sensational rise into the limelight
The Swansea City centre back, who started his football career with Hednesford Town in 2001, has had a sensational rise into the limelight in recent years.
He moved to the Liberty Stadium in 2008 and has made 179 league appearances in four seasons in Wales, scoring 11 times including a header at Stamford Bridge last season.
He has good leadership skills and needs to be in top form with Swansea, especially as Michael Laudrup’s side ended a tricky run of five games without a win on Saturday after beating Wigan in the Premier League.
On the international side, it isn’t looking good for the Welsh, who have sadly failed to continue the momentum that was building under Gary Speed until his tragic death 11 months ago.
Since taking over, Coleman has lost five of the six games he has been in charge of as boss and Wales are seven points off a play-off spot in Group A.
The next few months could be some of the biggest in the career of Ashley Williams, as he has to deal with a club side struggling for form and an international side which is low on confidence.
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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