Late Koumas goal earns Wales draw with Ghana

Lewis Koumas headed an equaliser in time added on to earn Wales a 1-1 friendly draw at home to Ghana, who were denied a winning start under Carlos Queiroz as part of their World Cup preparations.

Daniel James hit the post and crossbar in quick succession for the home side during a first half which Wales controlled.

After an indifferent opening hour at a sparsely populated Cardiff City Stadium, Ghana rewarded their exuberant fans with the opening goal as substitute Caleb Yirenkyi struck on the rebound.

Wales eventually got the goal their performance deserved in the third minute of added time, when Neco Williams' inviting cross from the right was nodded in by a stooping Koumas to score his first international goal.

Having missed out on World Cup qualification by losing to Bosnia-Herzegovina at this ground in March, this was a third game without victory for Craig Bellamy's men, even if the performance had its bright moments.

As disappointing as it was for Ghana to squander their winning position, a draw after five successive losses will serve as a timely confidence boost before taking on a World Cup group in which they have been drawn alongside England, Croatia and Panama.

Whereas Ghana's players were eager to impress Queiroz – the veteran ex-manager of Real Madrid and Portugal among many others – there was seemingly little riding on this match for Wales.

However, the hosts did not look like a team winding down for the summer as they made a flying start.

James was blistering on the right wing, running menacingly at opponents and hitting the woodwork on two separate occasions.

First, his header was tipped on to the post by Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi and then the Leeds United winger smashed a half-volley against the crossbar, with David Brooks creating both chances.

Wales played at a tempo that meant their visitors barely saw the ball during the first half.

In fact, Ghana's only real chance before the break came by way of a misplaced pass from Wales keeper Karl Darlow, who redeemed himself by smothering Jordan Ayew's subsequent shot.

That gave the Black Stars and their fervent fans some encouragement, but Wales still had the upper hand in the early stages of the second half.

Their inability to take their chances was punished, though, as Ghana pounced with a counter-attack. Ernest Nuamah forced Darlow into a save and, after the follow-up bounced off the post, fellow substitute Yirenkyi was on hand to finish.

Defeat would have been harsh on Wales given their dominance for large periods, and they finally managed to convert one of their opportunities when the diving Koumas headed in Williams' fine cross to give the small home crowd late reason to cheer.