Ryan Giggs explains why he rested Gareth Bale for Wales against Trinidad and Tobago

Ryan Giggs explained that he had no choice but to disappoint Wales fans by leaving Gareth Bale out of the group that beat Trinidad & Tobago in Wrexham.

Wales had no longer played on the racetrack since 2008 and the return of the national team to the north for the first time in eleven years had been highly valued.

But the Real Madrid striker, Bale, was among the missing. His coach, Giggs, was on the field four weeks before the qualifying match for the Wales European Championship against Slovakia in Cardiff.

"Gareth got his first 90 minutes in three months and took part in a bit of training on Monday," Giggs said after 19-year-old Ben Woodburn's goal helped the Netherlands to win. 1-0 against the Soca Warriors.

"He trained very well this morning, but it was too risky with Sunday in mind, as was the case with a few players.

"We have the advantage in this first game, Slovakia plays Thursday and Sunday, the time is two and a half days.

"I wanted to make sure we put this benefit to use this week, both physically and mentally.

"Of course it's disappointing for fans, they want to see people like Gareth, but it's my job to make sure we're ready for Sunday."

George Thomas came close to a powerful shot in the second half and saw his head halfway through the second half eliminated.

However, Wales had made little progress until Woodburn, Liverpool's teenager, sent his audience of 10,326 spectators home with his second goal on the international pitch, wounding Will's center. Vaulks.

"The performances, especially in the first half, have really thrilled me," said Giggs, whose team had been upset in the previous match against Albania.

"We had a few days to work on some things and had the feeling of doing that first half without that final calm, making the right decisions and getting some quality.

"I'm happy with the first half, Trinidad and Tobago had nothing.

"But I was reminding Albania to the players at half-time – it was exactly the same in Albania, so we had to keep that blank sheet."

"We took our chances a bit in the second half, Trinidad and Tobago made it difficult for us, we had to be patient."

Trinidad & Tobago director Dennis Lawrence said his team was unhappy to lose.

"We were very unlucky, I do not think the boys deserve it," said Lawrence.

"It was a good workout for us, but they were very comfortable on the ball.

"I was a little surprised that Gareth did not play.

"I thought they would have liked the fans to have the opportunity to see him, but they made the decision that best suited Wales and Gareth."

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