As things turned out a win would not have been enough anyhow for Wales to qualify automatically from Group D after Croatia produced a resolute performance to triumph 1-0 over Armenia in Maksimir to claim the second qualifying place.
It was though a much-improved performance from Page’s men where Wales for long periods were the better side. Neco Williams had struck the home side in front early in the contest to the delight of the vocal Red Wall in the Welsh capital as momentarily the home side moved back into the ascendancy in the table.
Croatia would not look back after scoring just before the break against Armenia and the pendulum started to sway away from Wales. A series of decisions would fall against the Dragons with two penalty shouts on Brennan Johnson controversially turned down allowing Turkey a route back into the match.
The visitors were back on level terms with 20 minutes to go with Yusef Yazci scoring from the spot after captain Ben Davies was adjudged to have pulled back the same player.
It would be incidental though in the end with the scores finishing level with Wales now going into today’s play-off draw where they will either face Finland, Ukraine, or Iceland in a home semi-final on March 21.
If victorious a final shoot-out will be played at the Cardiff City Stadium against Poland or Estonia five days later, with the winner earning a place at the European Championships in Germany next summer.
“We’re disappointed, but I’ve said to the players, Ben [Davies] said it in the huddle on the pitch, we put in a great performance,” said Page.
“I’ve got to be careful what I say, we could’ve had two penalties and it seemed like a soft penalty. Sometimes it goes for you, sometimes it doesn’t.
“That level of performance is what we need to do. If we do that when we come back together in March, we’ll be okay.
“I said before the game, to come into this camp and still be in with a chance of qualification is an incredible achievement.
“We’re disappointed we haven’t qualified automatically, but I’m excited to find out who we’ve got in the draw for the play-off.
“We’ll get together in March and build on what we saw tonight, and against Croatia.”
[Lead image: Football Association of Wales]
