DRAGONS ON POLE

But after knocking out a poor Finnish side, Wales must now beat the king of the finishers

ROB PAGE’S Red Dragons passed their first play-off test with distinction as qualification for the European Championship moved a giant step closer.

The opening part of the potential double-header afforded them comfortable passage to a decider next Tuesday against Poland after their young guns proved too hot for the Finns to handle.

Goals before the break from David Brooks and Neco Williams laid the platform and, even though the evergreen Teemu Pukki briefly caused doubts by reducing the arrears on the stroke of half-time, Brennan Johnson’s early second-half strike put the hosts in control.

Substitute Daniel James confirmed the victory when he capitalised on a late defensive howler to send a sell-out crowd home happy.

Wales now must beat the Poles – and star striker Robert Lewandowski – in Cardiff on Tuesday to qualify for their third successive Euros and the first one without the influence of Gareth Bale.

It was a mature show from Page’s young side, who profited from weak defending but were in little danger almost from the off.

If Page caused a few eyebrows to be raised beforehand with his choice of Brooks ahead of Kieffer Moore, they were lowered when the striker opened the scoring inside the first 140 seconds.

He benefitted after Harry Wilson darted inside and played a one-two with Johnson.

The Fulham man collected possession and placed a shot across Lukas Hradecky. The Bayer Leverkusen shot-stopper could only palm the ball in the air to Brooks, who adjusted his body superbly before firing on the full into the net from 10 yards.

Page could not have wished for better. And while the early goal settled any nerves inside the City of Cardiff Stadium, it also focused Finland’s minds.

Former Norwich City talisman Pukki was still proving himself a handful and his header set up Daniel Hakans for a tricky chance on the half-volley that was blazed over.

In the first half-hour, Danny Ward’s goal had come under the more sustained pressure as the Finns played keep-ball without

WALES are just one game away from qualifying for the Euros after routing Finland.

David Brooks got them off to a third-minute dream start and when Neco Williams sidefooted home his free-kick on 38 minutes, it looked plainsailing. However, Finland’s Teemu Pukki got one back on the stroke of half-time.

Brennan Johnson soon restored the two-goal advantage two minutes after the break and substitute Dan James sealed the 4-1 victory.