Lewis Koumas opens Wales account in draw with Ghana

By Phil Blanche, Press Association

Lewis Koumas scored his first international goal to salvage a 1- 1 draw for Wales with World Cup-bound Ghana in Cardiff.

Substitute Caleb Yirenkyi delighted the noisy Ghanaian contingent after 66 minutes, converting from close range after the ball had struck a post.

Ghana fans greeted Yirenkyi’s goal as if it was at the World Cup itself – possibly against group rivals England – rather than at a 33,000-capacity stadium which was around a third full.

But Koumas, sent on as a substitute on the hour, spared Wales’ blushes by nodding home a Neco Williams cross in the third minute of stoppage time.

Daniel James had hit the post twice after Wales manager Craig Bellamy had pointed out the Dragons’ dismal June record.

Wales had lost seven of their previous 11 matches in the month of June, with only two wins.