By Josh Thomas
Ryan Giggs was proud of his team despite losing 2-1 to Denmark at the Cardiff City Stadium in their final game of their Nations League campaign.
Gareth Bale scored what turned out to be a consolation for Wales after goals from Nicolai Jørgensen and Martin Braithwaite helped the Danes seal promotion to the top tier.
The victory guarantees them Group B4 winners’ status and a play-off spot for Euro 2020. As for Wales, this defeat leaves them remaining in the second tier where Giggs feels his team have learned a lot from this tournament.
“We’ll learn from this Nations League, I’ve really enjoyed it,” said the Wales manager.
“I think the players have enjoyed it and the fans have enjoyed it.
“You are always disappointed when you lose but I’m proud of the players. I’m proud of the performances they put on in the two games against a very good team and we’ll learn from it.
“You can see that Denmark are efficient, they’re experienced, they’re disciplined and they get the job done and we can learn from that.”
After a campaign which has seen the Welsh do the double over the Republic of Ireland, the Danes and their manager Åge Hareide’s draw with Ireland in Copenhagen left Wales knowing a win on Friday would seal top spot.
“In both games we were more of a match for them. We just needed that little bit of luck, that bit of quality at the end and we could have come out on top in both games. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.
“We’re disappointed and the players are disappointed but I told them that they should be proud of themselves. We’ll learn from this game, definitely.”
With the score at 1-0, Bale’s free kick was brilliantly saved by Kasper Schmeichel, the son of Giggs’ former Manchester United teammate, Peter.
“The save tonight was perhaps the difference, because if we score then we maybe go on to get that second, but that’s one of the reasons why they get through.
“They get over the line, they don’t give a lot of goals away, and of course Kasper is a big reason for that.
“As well as a drilled defence, with a well -rilled midfield in front of them, they don’t give many goals away because of the experience they’ve got and the quality.”
After being appointed manager in January, succeeding Chris Coleman, Giggs is delighted with how his first year had gone.
“I’m proud to be in this job. We’ve got a talented bunch of players, who are committed – which you’ve seen tonight – who will learn from this experience. Come the Euros ,we will be better for it.”
Tuesday’s friendly in Albania is likely to be marked by Chris Gunter’s 93rd international for Wales, beating Neville Southall’s record of 92 caps for a Welshman.
Gunter will start the game and Giggs will be making other changes to his side after James Chester and Paul Dummett went off injured.
“Chris will start the game on Tuesday. I think he deserves to. It will be an unbelievable achievement when he does it on Tuesday.
“He’s been a fantastic servant. It was one the hardest things, leaving Gunts out early on in the campaign, because he’s been such a good player, such a great lad, he’ll deserve every plaudit that he gets come Tuesday.
“Selection is a bit of juggling act. We had a couple of injuries tonight, you would’ve thought they won’t make it for Tuesday, and there are players who need a game and who I’ve not a seen a lot off and are doing well for their clubs.
“We’ll just have to see how the lads are in the next couple of days, get ready for what will be a tough game – it always is away from home – and, hopefully, get back on that winning track.”