Wales boss Ryan Giggs fumes after Kasper Dolberg foul on Ethan Ampadu sparks row as Denmark win Nations League encounter
RYAN GIGGS blasted Denmark's Kasper Dolberg for a "cheap shot" on Ethan Ampadu.
Dolberg's late challenge on the Chelsea teen star in the 86th minute saw the 18-year-old crash into the advertising boards in Cardiff.
That sparked a row between Wales boss Giggs and Danish counterpart Age Hareide on the touchline. Hole in Roo's bucket • Kane's NF-HELL • Fulham hire Ranald McDonald
Giggs fumed: "I just thought it was a cheap shot. You've got a lad who has just turned 18 and broke his leg when he was 17.
"Ethan plays the ball and it was a late tackle.
"I realise we're not playing tiddlywinks and it's a competitive game and there are going to be tackles.
"I like that but for a young lad who has been injured badly recently I thought it was a cheap shot and that's why I reacted.
"And I was proud of the players of how they reacted by protecting a young player. That's how it should be.
"I want to see players react with fire as long as they don't go overboard.
"It shows they care and are not going to get bullied. It shows tremendous character."
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Wales 1 Denmark 2: Gareth Bale strikes late on but it is not enough for Dragons
By PHIL CADDEN
GARETH BALE'S late strike was not enough as Wales failed to win promotion to Group A of the Nations League after this home defeat to Denmark.
Goals from Nicolai Jorgensen and Martin Braithwaite in either half before Bale's consolation means the Danes will move into Europe’s elite for the next competition in 2020.
The victory in Cardiff sees Denmark leapfrog Wales and hold a one-point advantage over Wales, who have played all their matches, with the bonus of a fixture against the Republic of Ireland on Monday remaining.
Wales created the better chances in the opening period but could not find a way past Kasper Schmeichel until Bale slotted home in the dying seconds.
Bale tested the Leicester goalkeeper with a dipping long range effort before James Chester headed wide from an inviting David Brooks cross.
Talisman Bale thought he had scored but his header at the back post flashed a yard wide.
READ THE MATCH REPORT FROM CARDIFF AS WALES' NATIONS LEAGUE FATE CONFIRMED
Ampadu sought revenge on Ajax striker Dolberg with a barge on the moments later as both players were cautioned.
Hareide defended his player and the Danish coach said: "Dolberg is one of the nicest kids you can ever think of.
"He would not harm a fly. He should be more ruthless than he actually is.
"The boards were too close to the pitch. He (Ampadu) shouldn’t hit him, he shouldn’t go back to that."
Goals from Nicolai Jorgensen and Martin Braithwaite sealed victory for Denmark, who are now promoted to Group A of the Nations League while Wales will remain in Group B.
Wales, who scored a late consolation through Gareth Bale, thought they had levelled the tie with nine minutes to go but Kasper Schmeichel produced a superb save to push the Real Madrid’s ace free-kick onto a post.
Giggs, who played with Schmeichel's dad Peter at Manchester United, added: "I’ve seen that before off his dad, unfortunately.
"The save tonight was perhaps the difference. Because if we score, we maybe go on to win it.
"That’s one of the reasons why they get over the line.
"They don’t give many goals away and Kasper is a big reason for that, as well as well-drilled defence, a well-drilled midfield in front of them.
"They don’t give many goals away because of the experience and the quality they’ve got."