Montenegro 2-1 Wales: Hosts Too Strong For Young Dragons

Montenegro 2-1 Wales Lineups/Stats
International Friendlies Results, Fixtures

Montenegro held off the challenge from a young Wales side to record an international friendly victory in Podgorica.

Stevan Jovetic gave the hosts a first half lead when he converted a penalty before Radomir Djalovic made it two on the stroke of half-time.

The visitors attempted to force their way back into the game and Sam Vokes got a goal back shortly after the interval, but Montenegro held on for the win.

The opening half hour of the match was evenly poised as both sides threatened to open the scoring. Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey saved well from Savo Pavicevic before Simon Church came close to scoring a spectacular volley after good work from Aaron Ramsey.

Then, captain for the night Joe Ledley wasted a good opening after combining with the Arsenal midfielder.

Fiorentina's Jovetic, who was without doubt the man of the match, tested Hennessey and then set up Djalovic, who came close with a header moments later.

The breakthrough came when Danny Gabbidon - making his comeback after 18 months in the international wilderness because of injury - was controversially adjudged to have brought down Simon Vukcevic inside the penalty area.

Jovetic made no mistake as he dispatched the spot-kick from 12-yards to give Montenegro the lead.

Wales tried to respond quickly and Robert Earnshaw came close from a tight angle but was denied by home shot stopper Vukasin Poleksic.

The match's decisive moment came in first half stoppage time. Gabbidon was caught out by a precise Vukcevic pass and Djalovic latched onto the ball and struck a sweet shot across Hennessey into the far corner.

Wales manager John Toshack made a number of changes at the break, including the introduction of Vokes, who struck within seven minutes. Sam Ricketts sent over a deep cross and the striker impressively got enough on his header to find the net.

However, if a fourth goal of the match was to arrive it looked more likely to be scored by the hosts from that point onwards.

In an incredible incident Montenegro were somehow denied when Jovetic's chip beat substitute keeper Lewis Price but the ball struck the post and then Price's back before Djalovic somehow missed the target from the re-bound.

Towards the end Jovetic again threatened after a rare loose pass from the otherwise impressive Ramsey.

Both sides can take positives from the game going into their next World Cup qualifiers.

Chris Myson, Goal.com