Moore is dreaming of being Qatar hero

KIEFFER MOORE plans to complete the best hat-trick of his life in sun-baked Qatar – six years on from fearing his career had permanently frozen.

The Wales striker is about to become a Premier League player with Bournemouth, has got engaged, and now just needs a place at the World Cup finals to make 2022 the year that made Moore merrier.

Yet back in 2016, the 6ft 5in hitman (above) was returning from a stint in the Nordic city of Stavanger, where he failed to break the ice by scoring a single goal for Norwegian club Viking.

It was a numbing spell that has left Moore, 29, feeling blessed to now be one play-off match from the heat of an Arabian World Cup adventure.

“For me, the polar opposite of being at a World Cup was coming back from Norway,” said Moore, who is set to play for Wales in Poland on Wednesday in the Nations League before they face either Scotland or Ukraine for a place in Qatar.

“I had a stint in Norway, playing for Viking, and then I came back to sign for Forest Green Rovers.

“I’ve always had that faith and confidence in myself to get where I am today. I felt I had a chance in the EFL, then played in the Championship, played in League One, but then I went to Norway and found myself out of the Football League.”

Moore’s journey took him from Truro City to Dorchester Town, then Yeovil before he went to Norway. After Forest Green, he rose via Rotherham, Barnsley, Wigan and Cardiff City until he joined the Cherries in January.

“It would mean everything to get to Qatar,” added Moore. “Playing at a World Cup is the pinnacle.”