Kieffer Moore was preparing to sign for then non-league Forest Green when Wales were at Euro 2016
Wales kept their Euro 2020 qualification hopes on track in Slovakia despite the hosts coming from behind to earn a point in Trnava.
A first international goal from Wigan's Kieffer Moore gave Wales the advantage as he firmly headed home from Dan James' excellent cross moments after Gareth Bale headed against the crossbar.
Slovakia equalised with a goal from nothing as Juraj Kucka smashed home a volley after Wales failed to clear a cross eight minutes into the second half.
The hosts dominated after the interval, but their momentum was lost when Norbert Gyomber was sent off for a second yellow card, allowing Wales to finish the contest as the most likely winners.
The draw means Wales stay fourth in Group E, behind Hungary who lost 3-0 to group leaders Croatia.
Slovakia sit three points above Wales and a point above third-place Hungary, but Wales have a game in hand and a superior head to head record over Slovakia.
Giggs the international 'Tinkerman'
Wales' draw at Slovakia was Ryan Giggs' first away point as manager in Euro qualifying
Move over Claudio Ranieri, world football has another 'Tinkerman' and he manages the Wales international team.
Ryan Giggs has already lamented in this campaign that the nature of international football is that you never know who will be available for selection, but he continues to tinker with both his formation and personnel.
However, whereas Giggs' selections have had supporters questioning him in previous matches in this campaign, Wales were excellent in the first half before Kucka's equaliser changed the game.
Giggs made four changes from the side that narrowly edged Azerbaijan in the last qualifier, though three of those switches were enforced.
Eyebrows would arguably have been raised at the decision to replace the injured Chris Mepham with Charlton's Tom Lockyer, the 24-year old having never played competitively for his country, in preference to the fit again and in-form Ashley Williams.
That decision almost back-fired on Wales after only ten minutes when Lockyer dawdled and was dispossessed by Albert Rusnack; but an incredible defensive block by Ethan Ampadu - think Ben Davies in the Euro 2016 opener - denied Robert Muk from close range. Lockyer improved after his early error.
Aaron Ramsey's continued absence meant Jonny Williams earned a competitive start since playing Slovakia in the first game of Euro 2016, while a formation re-shuffle saw Wigan's Kieffer Moore complete his journey from non-league football, with Harry Wilson and Tom Lawrence not deemed fit enough to start.
Williams settled quickly and his energetic display gave Slovakia plenty to think about, though referee Carlos Grande was well placed to dismiss Williams' penalty claim on 36 minutes when Norbert Gyomber just managed to take the ball as Wales screamed for a penalty.
Wales faded as the contest wore on and were restricted in the chances they created, but Joe Rodon was close from James' freekick, with his goal-bound header blocked by Gyomber.
Moore quality in attack, but defensively frail
Wales have only kept one clean sheet in Euro 2020 qualifying, their 1-0 home win against Slovakia
The idea of selecting Moore - a former England C international who was toiling at non-league Forest Green Rovers when Wales reached the semi-final of Euro 2016 - was that his physicality and presence as an orthodox number nine would allow more space and time on the ball for Bale and Daniel James and the plan worked well.
With Slovakia playing a compact 4-3-3 formation Bale and Dan James were give yards of space in wide areas and Wales looked a menace, especially on the counter-attack.
They were a whisker away from leading when Bale's firm header from Connor Roberts' cross struck the crossbar, but less than 60 seconds later they did take the lead when James crossed for Moore who expertly planted his header into the net.
It was no less than Wales deserved and they restricted the hosts to half chances as the half wore on with Wayne Hennessey equal to Mak's weak effort and Juraj Kucka firing wide in added on time, while Newcastle's Martin Dubravka had to save efforts from Bale and James.
Wales were breached when the dangerous Mak cut inside, but Roberts denied him with an inch perfect tackle.
However, Wales' resistance was broken after half time when Roberts' diving header fell to Kucka who lashed the ball home with a volley that gave Wayne Hennessey no chance.
Hennessey made a terrific save to deny Kucka a second ten minutes later as the hosts ramped up the pressure and the home fans increased their volume by several decibels.
While Wales were potent in attack they again looked vulnerable defensively, perhaps not surprising as Giggs has made 16 defensive changes in nine competitive fixtures since succeeding Chris Coleman.
However, Slovakia's momentum was lost when Gyomber received a red card for a second booking, with defender Rodon within a whisker of scoring a winner, but his acrobatic overhead kick just skimmed past the upright.
Moore also came close to flicking home from Roberts' cross, but Slovakia held on for a point as James lashed wide with the final chance of an enthralling match.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Kieffer Moore
The Wales striker made a big impact in his first competitive international and might have won it for Wales.
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Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text
Line-ups
Slovakia
1Dubravka
2Pekarík
3GyömbérBooked at 88mins
14Skriniar
16Hancko
19Kucka
22Lobotka
17Hamsik
10Rusnák
9BozenikSubstituted forSafrankoat 86'minutes
20MakSubstituted forHaraslinat 79'minutes
Substitutes
4Valjent
5Satka
6Gregus
7Haraslin
8Duda
11Bero
12Kozácik
13Hrosovsky
15Mazán
18Safranko
21Duris
23Greif
Wales
1Hennessey
14Roberts
16Lockyer
5Rodon
4Davies
7Allen
15AmpaduBooked at 33minsSubstituted forMorrellat 58'minutes
11BaleBooked at 15mins
17WilliamsBooked at 50minsSubstituted forH Wilsonat 66'minutes
20JamesBooked at 90mins
13Moore
Substitutes
2Gunter
3Taylor
6Williams
8Roberts
9Vokes
10H Wilson
12Ward
18Morrell
19Lawrence
21Davies
22Matondo
23Vaulks
Referee:
Carlos del Cerro Grande
Match Stats
Home TeamSlovakiaAway TeamWales
Possession
Home70%
Away30%
Shots
Home13
Away15
Shots on Target
Home4
Away6
Corners
Home5
Away5
Fouls
Home9
Away14
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, Slovakia 1, Wales 1.
Full TimePosted at 90'+7'
Second Half ends, Slovakia 1, Wales 1.
Posted at 90'+6'
Attempt missed. Daniel James (Wales) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Kieffer Moore following a fast break.
Posted at 90'+5'
Juraj Kucka (Slovakia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 90'+5'
Foul by Kieffer Moore (Wales).
BookingPosted at 90'+4'
Daniel James (Wales) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 90'+4'
Peter Pekarík (Slovakia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 90'+4'
Foul by Daniel James (Wales).
Posted at 89'
Milan Skriniar (Slovakia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 89'
Foul by Gareth Bale (Wales).
Posted at 89'
Attempt missed. Joe Rodon (Wales) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Kieffer Moore with a headed pass following a set piece situation.
DismissalPosted at 88'
Second yellow card to Norbert Gyömbér (Slovakia) for a bad foul.
Posted at 88'
Foul by Norbert Gyömbér (Slovakia).
Posted at 88'
Kieffer Moore (Wales) wins a free kick on the left wing.
SubstitutionPosted at 86'
Substitution, Slovakia. Pavol Safranko replaces Robert Bozenik.
Posted at 85'
Corner, Wales. Conceded by David Hancko.
Posted at 83'
Attempt missed. Albert Rusnák (Slovakia) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Marek Hamsik following a set piece situation.
Posted at 82'
Lukas Haraslin (Slovakia) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 82'
Foul by Joe Allen (Wales).
Posted at 81'
Offside, Wales. Wayne Hennessey tries a through ball, but Kieffer Moore is caught offside.
SubstitutionPosted at 79'
Substitution, Slovakia. Lukas Haraslin replaces Robert Mak.
Posted at 78'
Corner, Wales. Conceded by Norbert Gyömbér.
Posted at 78'
Attempt blocked. Joe Rodon (Wales) header from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Daniel James with a cross.
Posted at 77'
Foul by Norbert Gyömbér (Slovakia).
Posted at 77'
Daniel James (Wales) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 67'
Corner, Wales. Conceded by Martin Dubravka.
Posted at 67'
Attempt saved. Kieffer Moore (Wales) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Connor Roberts.
SubstitutionPosted at 66'
Substitution, Wales. Harry Wilson replaces Jonathan Williams.
Posted at 65'
Robert Bozenik (Slovakia) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 65'
Foul by Joe Morrell (Wales).
Posted at 64'
Attempt missed. Juraj Kucka (Slovakia) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Marek Hamsik.
Posted at 63'
Attempt saved. Albert Rusnák (Slovakia) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Robert Mak.
Posted at 63'
Foul by Albert Rusnák (Slovakia).
Posted at 63'
Joe Morrell (Wales) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 61'
Juraj Kucka (Slovakia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 61'
Foul by Ben Davies (Wales).
Posted at 60'
Offside, Slovakia. Juraj Kucka tries a through ball, but Robert Mak is caught offside.
SubstitutionPosted at 58'
Substitution, Wales. Joe Morrell replaces Ethan Ampadu.
Posted at 58'
Attempt missed. Juraj Kucka (Slovakia) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Albert Rusnák.
Posted at 57'
Corner, Slovakia. Conceded by Tom Lockyer.
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goal
Source: bbc.com