BAKU: Wales’ manager Rob Page conceded that winger Daniel James had been upset on being taken off in the 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their Euro 2020 Group A tie in Azerbaijan.

Kieffer Moore nodded home Joe Morrell’s clipped cross in the 74th minute to cancel out Breel Embolo’s earlier header and Page’s men held firm to come away with a fortunate point.

James had provided a threat on the counter-attack with his pace down the left flank but was replaced moments after Moore’s equaliser by David Brooks.

James could be heard yelling ‘me?!’ at Page before watching the remainder of the match from the substitutes bench.

Page, who stepped up a manager in place of Ryan Giggs, said: “No he didn’t [look happy to be taken off] and it’s for the good of the team. There’s three games in quick succession and he looked dead on his feet and that’s because of the work he put in up to that moment.

“When you know you’ve got somebody with the quality of David Brooks to come on – we played him on the left to get crosses in coming down the outside for Kieffer to attack – then it’s another option that we’ve got.

“DJ was disappointed coming off but he’s great in the dressing room now and it’s all about the squad.”

On his players’ spirited display, Page added: “We wanted a positive start and it feels like a win in the changing room. I’m so proud of the players for that.

“We had to dig deep towards the end, we had a little bit of luck with the offside as well but that’s the start we were after. I wanted a positive performance and I certainly got that.”

Page reserved special praise for Moore and felt the Cardiff striker ‘throughly deserved’ his goal, saying: “He’s been terrific at international and club level.

“He poses a threat not just because of his presence, he’s got a great touch, his link-up play is very good and he’s a willing runner and it’s a good recipe to have when you’ve got all those attributes as a centre-forward.”

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