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‘Star man’, ‘enthralling’: National media enjoyed Tottenham player’s World Cup display
Tottenham Hotspur loanee Joe Rodon was one of the few Wales players who performed well in their 2-0 defeat to Iran in the World Cup.
The Spurs defender is currently on loan at French side Rennes, where he has made 14 appearances in all competitions.
Despite being surplus to Antonio Conte’s requirements, Rodon is a key player in the Dragons line-up.
On Friday, the 25-year-old made his second start of the World Cup as Wales took on the team England beat 6-2 earlier this week.
Rob Page’s charges were disappointing against Carlos Queiroz’s side and succumbed to two stoppage-time goals.
Wayne Hennessey had been dismissed on 87 minutes due to a reckless challenge, and Wales paid the price.
Iran had weighed in with many chances and eventually broke through in stoppage time.
Roozbeh Cheshmi and Ramin Rezaeian netted to secure Iran’s first World Cup win against European opposition.
Wales’ hopes of reaching the next round now hang by a thread, but Rodon didn’t give a bad account of himself by any means.
‘Fought to the very end’
Indeed, named him their Star Man – albeit with a 6 out of 10.
They wrote that Rodon was ‘much like’ Chris Mepham. For context, the latter had ‘acquitted himself well at the back.
‘With the midfield so open in front of him he had to do a lot of backs-to-the-wall defending and stood up to the task for the most part.’
About Rodon specifically, they added: ‘Found himself 1v1 with Sardar Azmoun too often but gave as good as he got in that battle. Booked for an awful tackle in the first half.’
The also gave Rodon 6 out of 10, writing: ‘Rodon’s battle with Azmoun was enthralling. He did just enough to force the Iran striker off balance when he struck the post.
‘Rodon fought to the very end, forever alert to Iran’s counter-attacks at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium. But ultimately, it’s a deflating defeat.’
While Rodon doesn’t look to have a future at Tottenham under Conte, he’ll no doubt shine elsewhere.
And a good World Cup for him means he’ll be better placed in the shop window.