FT: ESTONIA 0 - 1 WALES. Match thread

[Michael Morris]

Monday 11th October, ko 7:45pm

Wales have vowed to go all-out in attack in Monday's World Cup qualifier away against Estonia to avoid a repeat of last month's goalless draw.

With automatic qualification all but impossible, the play-offs are Wales' only realistic hope of making it to Qatar next year.

Wales are third in Group E, trailing second-placed Czech Republic on goal difference, but with a game in hand.

"We need to go for it from the first minute," said manager Robert Page.

"The players you'll see on the pitch will be down to what we did at the back end of the game [in Friday's 2-2 draw] against the Czech Republic. You'll see our intent.

"You'll see we'll have players on the pitch that can get us goals."

Only group winners qualify automatically and, with an eight-point lead, only the unlikeliest sequence of results can stop leaders Belgium from finishing first.

Wales are already effectively guaranteed a play-off place thanks to their success in the Nations League, but finishing second in this World Cup qualifying group could secure a more favourable draw in that knockout stage.

Wales' draw with the Czech Republic in Prague was a thrilling encounter in which the visitors missed several chances to score a winner.

"We could be sat here with six points [from the past two games] and instead we've got two and that's frustrating," said Page, whose side were held to a disappointing goalless draw by Estonia in September's reverse fixture.

"There's always room for improvement. We've given ourselves a chance, it's in our hands."

Team news

Wales have no new injury concerns following their draw in Prague.

They remain without captain Gareth Bale, Ben Davies, David Brooks, Tom Lockyer and Rhys Norrington-Davies due to injury and illness.

Full-back Connor Roberts and attacking midfielder Harry Wilson could be challenging for a start against Estonia after impressing from the bench against the Czechs.

"I don't think [there will be] too many surprises with team selection, the way we finished and how strong we were against the Czechs," Page added.

"The chances we had when we dominated the game, we'll factor that in.

"We've set the bar high now and we have to match those standards game in, game out."

Estonia will be without 17-goal striker Henri Anier and midfielder Vladislav Kreida as both collected second tournament yellow cards in Friday's 2-0 win over Belarus.

Experienced defender Sander Puri is again sidelined.

[Michael Morris]

Match stats

• Wales have never lost against Estonia in three previous meetings, though they drew 0-0 with them in September's reverse fixture in this campaign.
• Estonia have never led against Wales in three previous games against them, scoring just once, a Martin Reim penalty in a 2-1 defeat in May 1994.
• Wales have only picked up two wins from their past 10 games in all competitions (drawing five and losing three), although they are unbeaten in their past three on the road.
• Wales have only lost twice in their past 17 World Cup qualifiers, against Republic of Ireland in October 2017 and Belgium in March 2021.
• Danny Ward's own goal against the Czech Republic on Friday was the first by a Wales player since June 2019, when James Lawrence put the ball in his own net against Croatia in a European Championship qualifier.
• Aaron Ramsey has been directly involved in eight goals in his last 11 qualifying matches for Wales, scoring six times while providing a further two assists.
• Daniel James scored for the first time in eight appearances for Wales in Prague on Friday, with his previous goal for the national team also coming against Czech Republic in March.
• James' goal was also the first of his five for Wales to be scored away from Cardiff City Stadium, while only Kieffer Moore (six) has scored more goals for Wales since James made his debut in November 2018.

[City123]

Ward, Roberts, Rodon, Mepham, Thomas, Ampadu, Allen, Ramsey (c), James, Wilson, Moore

[Michael Morris]

FBbzyobXoAYXwfm.jpg

[Michael Morris]

It's turning into a head to head with Czech.

Both Wales and Czech Republic play Estonia and Belarus in the remaining games

Currently both sides have 8 points, Czech are +1 GD, Wales 0

If we assume Czech are going to win both of their games then Wales must win two of their three remaining games with a better GD and then not lose by too many against Belgium.

[City123]

It's turning into a head to head with Czech.

Both Wales and Czech Republic play Estonia and Belarus in the remaining games

Currently both sides have 8 points, Czech are +1 GD, Wales 0

If we assume Czech are going to win both of their games then Wales must win two of their three remaining games with a better GD and then not lose by too many against Belgium.

I don't think a draw against Belgium is beyond us if we have our full squad

[Pearcey3]

It's turning into a head to head with Czech.

Both Wales and Czech Republic play Estonia and Belarus in the remaining games

Currently both sides have 8 points, Czech are +1 GD, Wales 0

If we assume Czech are going to win both of their games then Wales must win two of their three remaining games with a better GD and then not lose by too many against Belgium.

Belgium won’t need anything when they play us. We can get a draw against them

[Wash DC Blue]

I like the look of this team.
Would prefer Nico Williams over Roberts, but’s got goals in it.

Really hoping that Sorba Thomas’ contribution reflects his personality.
He’s my favourite Welsh player already without hardly kicking a ball for us :)

[Stanmore Bluebird]

Why isn’t Rubin in squad?

[Don Corleone]

It’s a very exciting attacking line up, just hope it doesn’t backfire in a repeat of that qualifier against Iceland in the 70’s at the Vetch when we picked a team full of strikers, the floodlights failed and we ended up drawing 2-2

[Grangenders]

Don’t we just need two wins irrespective of goal difference? I thought positions were decided on head to head, therefore if we match the two remaining results the Czech Republic have, we’ll be second?

[Pearcey3]

Don’t we just need two wins irrespective of goal difference? I thought positions were decided on head to head, therefore if we match the two remaining results the Czech Republic have, we’ll be second?

It appears to be based on goal difference

[Undercoverinwurzelland]

Don’t we just need two wins irrespective of goal difference? I thought positions were decided on head to head, therefore if we match the two remaining results the Czech Republic have, we’ll be second?

Unfortunately it's goal difference, then goals scored before head to head.
Unlike when Wales women missed out on the Euros on an away goal to Northern Ireland despite having a goal difference that was 12 better.
Make your bloody minds up FIFA/UEFA.

[Pearcey3]

Mepham doing well at both ends of the pitch

[Swiss Peter]

That song is bloody annoying.

[Dave Blue]

Whatever the merits of keeping Ward in the side, it appears to have given the players the gitters. They obviously don’t trust him now.

[Michael Morris]

I think this one comes into the category 'My Granny could have scored from there'

FBcONIzXMAImtRB.jpg

Estonia 0 - 1 Wales
(Kieffer Moore, 12)

[BLUETIT]

It’s a very exciting attacking line up, just hope it doesn’t backfire in a repeat of that qualifier against Iceland in the 70’s at the Vetch when we picked a team full of strikers, the floodlights failed and we ended up drawing 2-2

Attacking line up it maybe, but the actual play looks disjointed, as if these players have never played with each other before.

And what’s this lark of them all thinking they are Beckenbauer in our goal area.

Awful display

[Rjk]

Attacking line up it maybe, but the actual play looks disjointed, as if these players have never played with each other before.

And what’s this lark of them all thinking they are Beckenbauer in our goal area.

Awful display

awful? get a grip

[Pearcey3]

Not awful but definitely sloppy at times and not as fluid as the Czech game. We need a second goal especially with the Czechs ahead

[BLUETIT]

awful? get a grip

So you think that’s acceptable ?

Estonia could have scored 3 or 4 with a little bit of luck

[Rjk]

So you think that’s acceptable ?

Estonia could have scored 3 or 4 with a little bit of luck

good grief

[Pearcey3]

Very sloppy start to the second half

[MacAdder]

Well they should have scored there. Defence is awful.

[Pearcey3]

FFS that was close. Marking all over the place