World Cup

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World Cup | Qualifiers

Oct 16, 2012 at 7pm UK

Croatia
2-0
Wales

Wales manager Chris Coleman refuses to blame Ashley Williams for Croatia defeat

By Liam Power, Reporter

Published: October 17 2012 | 02:44

Last updated: October 17 2012 | 13:56

Wales boss Chris Coleman insists that Ashley Williams was not to blame for his side's 2-0 away defeat to Croatia despite making a mistake that led to the opening goal.

Chris Coleman has insisted that Wales captain Ashley Williams was not to blame for an error which gifted Croatia their opening goal in a 2-0 defeat.

Williams played a short back pass to goalkeeper Lewis Price which eventually fell to Mario Mandzukic, who made no mistake to give Croatia the lead.

Wales failed to recover and were condemned to a disappointing loss when Eduardo put the game beyond doubt in the second half.

Coleman has refused to single out Williams for criticism and insisted that bad luck played a part in the Welsh defeat.

He told Sky Sports News: "Ashley Williams is a top class defender and the ball just got stuck. That end of the pitch is very sticky, and it just got stuck.

"That made it difficult for Lewis Price, the striker closes him down, the ball doesn't go anywhere and it ends up in the back of the net.

"It's amazing really, we can't keep a clean sheet. We made one mistake and got punished for it."

Defeat to Croatia leaves Wales second bottom of the group with just one win from four World Cup qualifying matches.