'Howler' - National media react as Leeds United quartet in action vs England World Cup rivals
Four Leeds United stars featured for Wales in their summer friendly against Ghana.
Four Leeds United players were in action on Tuesday night as Wales drew 1-1 against Ghana in Cardiff.
Craig Bellamy’s side are not heading to the World Cup this summer with two friendlies against Ghana and Romania bookending their 2025/26 campaign. The first of those two games took place last night with Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Daniel James all starting while Leeds teenager Jayden Lienou watched from the bench.
James admitted earlier this week he hoped to use these friendlies to keep building fitness and the winger got off to a flying start, twice hitting the woodwork before half-time and causing regular problems. But there were no goals until the 68th minute when Ghana’s Caleb Yirenkyi scored a rebound following a Darlow save.
Ghana, who will be facing England in the World Cup group stage later this month, looked set to leave Cardiff with a win but substitute Lewis Koumas equalised in the third minute of added-time. Darlow and Ampadu played the full game, while James and Rodon were removed in the 60th and 83rd minutes respectively.
National outlet Wales Online were at the Cardiff City Stadium and cast their verdict on each of the four Leeds stars. Goalkeeper Darlow was given a 7/10 rating on the night, with reporter Tom Coleman writing: “Had an early howler in the first half, but recovered fairly well and made some good stops on the night.”
Rodon and Ampadu both looked to have enjoyed pretty steady evenings, particularly the latter who again looked a level above his midfield opponents. Both got 7/10 ratings.
National media on Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Dan James
On Rodon, Wales Online reporter Coleman wrote: “Did his job well enough. Little to really take issue with on the night.” And on Ampadu, he said: “Mopped up brilliantly in defence and was often at the base of his side's most promising moves. Faded after the break, but still a good shift.”
Finally there was James, who played the fewest minutes of the Leeds quartet but was certainly most involved. He had a header tipped onto the post before crashing an effort off the crossbar in quick succession.
James also got a 7/10 rating, with Coleman writing: “Really lively early on. Denied twice by the woodwork. Caused the Ghanaian defence a fair amount of problems before coming off in the second half.”