Vice-captain Rubin Colwill led Cardiff against Peterborough as Calum Chambers was suspended
Cardiff City made a winning start to life in League One – and the tenure of new head coach Brian Barry-Murphy – as they fought back from a goal down to beat Peterborough United in an entertaining encounter.
Cardiff flew out of the blocks with a vibrant display that saw them create several chances but, against the run of play, Peterborough took the lead through Bradley Ihionvien's penalty.
The Bluebirds responded superbly after the interval, with Rubin Colwill – captaining the club for the first time – equalising with a spectacular dipping free-kick from 20 yards.
Eighteen-year-old right-back Ronan Kpakio then fired the home side in front with a curling first-time effort which clipped the crossbar on its way in.
Cardiff could have won by more had their finishing matched the standard of their enterprising approach play.
But those missed opportunities did not dampen a refreshingly upbeat atmosphere at Cardiff City Stadium, where a miserable few years had led to last season's relegation from the Championship.
What was the main talking point?
This was Cardiff's first game in the third tier for 22 years and, with a new head coach in place, there was a fresh look to the team as Barry-Murphy picked the youngest Bluebirds side for a league fixture this century.
There was a clear difference in playing style too. Out of possession, Cardiff pressed higher and more intently than they had done under previous bosses and, on the ball, they threw bodies and attacked at pace, creating numerous chances.
Peterborough were content to stand off and pick their moments to counter and their goal came out of nowhere as Will Fish was deemed to have fouled Declan Frith – though replays suggested he may have got the ball – and Ihionvien confidently converted the penalty.
Cardiff carved their opponents open on many occasions in the first half but Colwill, Ollie Tanner and Yousef Salech were wasteful with their finishes.
Barry-Murphy's side were not exactly clinical after the break – with Colwill, Tanner and Callum Robinson among those to miss chances – but they scored two high-quality goals to secure the win their positive performance deserved.
Wales boss Craig Bellamy described Ronan Kpakio's potential as 'incredibly high'
Which players stood out?
Rubin Colwill is a player of huge talent and even greater potential, much talked about since making his Cardiff debut as an 18-year-old in 2021 and being included in Wales' Euro 2020 squad later that year.
He is an attacking midfielder who can dribble, play a killer pass and score with stunning long-range strikes – but his progress has stalled in recent years.
Colwill, now 23, has been in and out of Cardiff teams and Wales squads, and he finds himself at something of a crossroads in his young career.
Barry-Murphy has made him vice-captain for this season and he wore the armband against Peterborough as Calum Chambers was suspended.
Colwill, with his younger brother Joel making his first league start for Cardiff, responded to that added responsibility with an excellent performance, full of attacking invention in possession and defensive effort off the ball.
His goal was a beauty, a powerful free-kick struck in the manner of Cristiano Ronaldo or Didier Drogba, giving Posh goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic no chance.
Kpakio also deserves a mention for his display from right-back. The 18-year-old is rated extremely highly by Wales head coach Craig Bellamy, who has included him in senior squads.
Kpakio raided forward to good effect and got his reward with a brilliantly taken goal.
What's next for both teams?
Cardiff visit Port Vale at 20:00 BST on Thursday, 7 August while Peterborough are at home to Luton Town at 12:30 BST on Saturday, 9 August.
