Wales fans now forced into paying extortionate ticket prices for friendly vs Northern Ireland
Wales are now set to face Northern Ireland in a friendly next week after they saw their World Cup hopes brought to a crushing end on Thursday night.
Craig Bellamy’s side conceded late to draw 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff, before penalty misses from Brennan Johnson and Neco Williams saw the visitors progress to the play-off final.
Dan James’ 51st-minute goal had put the Dragons on the verge of a clash against Italy for a place in this summer’s tournament, but now it is Bosnia who will take on the Azzurri.
Nevertheless, Wales still have a second game on the cards before the group break up to return to their respective clubs, with the losing sides from the semi-finals all set to meet in friendlies next week.
Bellamy’s men are set to line up against Northern Ireland on home turf, and the ticket details are already in place for the clash.
Wales fans face full price expense for Northern Ireland friendly
Ticket prices at the World Cup have raised plenty of concern among journalists and supporters in recent months, with prices to watch games in North America sky-high in some cases.
Wales fans are now set to face frustrations of their own after their play-off exit on Thursday, with any tickets booked for a potential home final set to carry over for the visit of Northern Ireland.
There was plenty of anticipation surrounding the possibility of a one-off home game for a spot in the World Cup, but anybody who already has a ticket for that game must now use it for the friendly.
Fans will still have to pay full price for the Northern Ireland game, according to journalist Sam Street, with no discounts on offer now that the context of the match has shifted dramatically.
As a result, supporters are set to pay prices in the region of £35-£50 for the game, figures which are widely considered to be extortionate for a friendly.
Ireland face similar situation after World Cup disappointment
Ireland are now facing a similar situation to their fellow home nations after they too were knocked out of the play-offs at the semi-final stage on Thursday.
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side were beaten on penalties away in Czechia, having earlier squandered a two-goal lead during the 90 minutes.
That defeat means that their 24-year wait to feature at the World Cup is set to go on, and they now also face the prospect of an unexpected friendly next week.
They will line up at home to North Macedonia to round out this international break, after they were dismantled 4-0 in Denmark last time out.
Thursday’s results represented a bitter end to a promising qualifying campaign for the trio of home nations, as they were unable to join England and Scotland at this summer’s tournament.