Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Hoodoo you think you are? Gareth Bale? QUALIFYING GROUP D
SCREAMER BY LAWRENCE BURIES GEORGIA JINX AND PROVES BALE-LESS WALES CAN WIN
WALES finally proved they can win without Gareth Bale as Tom Lawrence became the unlikely hero in Georgia.
It is eight years since the Dragons last won a competitive match on their travels without their Real Madrid talisman, but Lawrence’s magnificent screamer in the 49th minute has given them a great chance of qualifying for the World Cup Finals in Russia next summer.
Now Chris Coleman’s men must produce more heroics in Monday’s blockbuster final qualifier at home to the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff.
The slender lead given to them by the 23-year-old Derby attacking midfielder ensured a tense finale here at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena, but the visitors held out.
More nervous moments are ahead if second-placed Wales end up in the play-offs next month, but at least by then they should have Bale back.
There was enough in this third successive group stage win, however, to give Wales real hope of getting to Russia regardless.
They were defensively sound at the back with a third successive clean sheet, as the likes of Ashley
Williams and Wayne
Hennessey (right) put aside their club woes at Everton and Crystal Palace, respectively.
And in midfield, Aaron
Ramsey and Lawrence provided the cutting edge up front in Bale’s absence.
Georgia coach Vladimir
Weiss was without Tornike
Okriashvili and Jano
Ananidze, who both play in the Russian top flight and
Wales capitalised.the Dragons opted for Sam Vokes up front, and the Burnley striker ran himself into the ground before being subbed late on.
Defensively, boss Coleman (below) opted for a four-man rearguard again after ditching his usual five-man defence at half-time last month against Austria.
Both calls paid off as Wales fashioned a clear chance within the first four minutes as Lawrence’s good run released Ramsey.
But the Arsenal ace, who has 13 international goals, shot low and just past a post from the edge of the box.
Wales, 13th in the FIFA world rankings, are 90 positions higher than
103rd-placed Georgia.
But Weiss’ men got a deserved draw in Cardiff a year ago and they enjoyed plenty of early possession here.
Coleman’s men had another sight of goal in the 17th minute when Andy King had an effort clawed away by Georgia keeper Giorgi Loria.
Another good chance arrived in the 30th minute with a well-worked move as skipper Williams found King out wide.
The Leicester midfielder headed the ball back to Ramsey, who beat his man and crossed for Vokes to steer just wide.
Despite Georgia having plenty of the ball, it was Wales who created the better chances. Lawrence had a shot in the 36th minute from distance, but curled his left-foot effort over.
There was a let-off for Wales a minute later at the other end when Giorgi Kvilitaia flashed a header wide from Otar Kakabadze’s cross.
Then before the break, the Dragons were awarded a free-kick when Lawrence was fouled, but Ramsey’s effort failed to clear the wall.
Four minutes after the restart, Wales took the lead from Lawrence’s 25-yard right-foot scorcher following Ramsey’s lay-off.
It was his first goal for his country on his ninth cap and thrilled the 2,000 travelling fans behind the goal.
Wales then pushed for a second as Vokes put a rebound wide after Loria failed to hold Ramsey’s shot.
But in the end the Dragons were forced to hang on and Hennessey had to save from Giorgi Merebashvili.
Yet, the gritty display to carve out a crucial triumph was reminiscent of Wales’ heroic efforts qualifying for Euro 2016, where they ended up memorably making the semi-finals in France.
And supporters will be dreaming of a similarly glorious adventure after this success.