FANS started to sing “Chrissy Coleman, we want you to stay” almost from the first whistle.
And the chant was the soundtrack to a night which could prove to be Coleman’s 49th and final game in charge of Wales.
Ironically, as the home faithful again struck up the ditty in the 75th minute, Tom Lawrence fired the Dragons ahead. Armando Cooper did net a last-gasp leveller for World Cup finalists Panama. But the game only deflected away from the main talking point in Cardiff — Coleman’s future. That remains up in the air this morning as the Dragons boss sees his current deal expire at the end of this month and talks over a new contract are now set to resume. But both players and fans have made their voices heard by declaring they want the man who led Wales to the Euro 2016 semi-finals to continue in his post.
Coleman, 47, appreciated the chants and waved back to the Welsh supporters behind the goal when it first started up. At that point, the television cameras immediately focused on FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford in the stands.Time will tell if Coleman stays or decides to walk away. But if this is his farewell after almost six years in charge, then we got a real glimpse of what the future could hold. Coleman picked an experimental side for this friendly against Panama, who have qualified for the World Cup for the first time in their history. The Dragons boss handed full debuts to young trio Ben Woodburn, Ethan Ampadu and David Brooks. While there was a rare start in goal for Liverpool’s Danny Ward. Following their excursions in the 2-0 defeat to France on Friday, Ashley Williams, Wayne Hennessey, Joe Allen and Joe Ledley were able to put their feet up.
The new-look Wales were bright early on with the next generation at the centre of the action. Woodburn’s header was saved by keeper Jaime Penedo after Chelsea whizkid Ampadu, 17, showed his strength to win possession before Brooks delivered a teasing left-footed cross. Minutes later, Sam Vokes capitalised on a loose Panama pass — but the Burnley striker saw his fizzing 25-yarder fly wide. Ampadu was not afraid to put his foot in, but was booked for late tackle on Gabriel Torres. Yet Coleman’s young guns kept pushing for the opener and Lawrence looked lively, while Brooks saw a shot deflected for a corner. Captain Chris Gunter, who equalled Gary Speed as Wales’ most-capped outfield player on 85 appearances, claimed he was headbutted by Ricardo Avila but Belgian ref Bart Vertenten took no action.
But Vertenten then pointed to the penalty spot after David Edwards was chopped down by Luis Ovalle.
Gunter was asked pre-match if he fancied stepping up if Wales were awarded a spot-kick.
The Reading full-back claimed it would be a farce if that was the way he had to break his international duck.
Yet he cannot have fared any worse than Vokes, whose tame effort was easily saved by Penedo.
Panama are ranked 49th in the world but lost five of their 16 qualifiers on the road to Russia 2018.
Yet they almost went ahead in the second half, but Gunter denied Roman Torres when Ward was slow off his line.
Lawrence showed speed and skill to beat three defenders before netting a super solo goal. And although, Cooper denied Wales victory, all eyes are now on Coleman and his future.
From The Sun
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