WIN OVER GEORGIA KEEPS WORLD CUP DREAM ALIVE
LAWRENCE WONDER STRIKE GIVES WALES THE EDGE OVER GEORGIA AND SETS UP HUGE FINALE WITH REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
WALES still remain in the hunt to secure automatic qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia after the penultimate round of qualifying matches, writes Ian Mitchelmore.
Tom Lawrence’s stunning 49th minute strike earned Chris Coleman’s side a vital 1-0 win over Georgia in Tbilisi, a result that ensured Wales’ play-off hopes were still firmly alive.
And Serbia’s inability to beat Austria in Vienna means Coleman’s troops can still nick top spot in Group D if results go their way on Monday night.
Luka Milivojevic’s 11th minute opener was cancelled out by former Cardiff City striker Guido Burgstaller’s effort, and West Ham man Marko Arnautovic briefly put the hosts ahead.
Manchester United man Nemanja Matic struck an equaliser in the 83rd minute, but substitute Louis Schaub netted a last-gasp winner as Austria earned a 3-2 victory for the home side.
It means if Serbia lose or draw at home to Georgia in Belgrade on Monday, Wales will nick top spot – securing automatic qualification to the World Cup in the process – if they claim all three points against Republic of Ireland at Cardiff City Stadium.
Wales could even claim first place if they draw against Martin O’Neill’s side, as long as Serbia suffer an unlikely loss at home to Georgia by two or more goals.
■Three pages of analysis inside
WALES maintained their stunning World Cup momentum with their 1-0 triumph in Georgia.
Here we take a look at the key talking points from the Tbilisi triumph...
SO WALES ARE NOT A ONEMAN TEAM
For years the theory has abounded that Wales are Gareth Bale plus 10 others, something that makes the Welsh management angry because their success has been built upon the team, not the individual.
Still, there was a sense of foreboding when Bale was injured ahead of the Georgia and Republic of Ireland crunch. How on earth could Wales win without their talisman and goal inspiration?
Well they showed how with a sublime performance, on top from start to finish with every single player stepping up to the plate to contribute.
The defence were superb, the midfield dominant, further forward Wales were the ones threatening. Even on the rare occasions he was called upon, Wayne Hennessey was excellent.
It reminded me of a 2001 World Cup qualifier against Belarus when Ryan Giggs was missing. How could Wales win a match without Giggs, the theory also went back then.
Mark Hughes’ side produced their best performance of the campaign. Instead of getting the ball to Giggs, others suddenly thrived upon the fresh responsibility.
And so it was in Tbilisi. There was no Bale. So others took turns to provide the creativity and goal threat instead.
None more so than a certain Tom Lawrence.
IT’S NOT UNUSUAL FOR TOM
Wales’ 23-year-old match-winner chose the most perfect moment to strike his first goal for his country.
The brilliance of the goal will have made the whole of Wales sit up and take notice, as was the case with Ben Woodburn against Austria last month.
But those who have followed Lawrence’s career more closely won’t have been the slightest surprised by what they saw.
He actually specialises in these wonder goals, six of his last 10 for Wales, Derby and Ipswich coming from outside the box.
The Georgians knew little about Lawrence and made the mistake of giving him too much space.
He made them pay with a cracker of a goal. Gareth Bale would have been proud of that one himself.
Lawrence offered something different to this side, just as Bale does.
JUST HOW GOOD IS LITTLE JOE
Joe Allen proved, once again, just what a polished performer he is at this highest of levels.
He won the ball, passed it with style, kept things ticking over, even went box to box.
He has a composure in possession that marks him down as a special player in international football.
In fact, Allen offered everything that was lacking from England’s lacklustre, one-paced, static midfield the night before against Slovenia.
I still can’t get my head around why Jurgen Klopp let Allen go and kept Jordan Henderson instead.
Give Welsh fans Allen every single day of the week.
CASE FOR THE DEFENCE
That’s three clean sheets on the trot for Wales, and that fact will please Chris Coleman more than any other.
The Welsh defence were once more excellent for the most part, no-one more so than Ben Davies.
He was always a gifted left-back, but his improvement with Spurs and Wales has been dramatic over the past 12 months.
Ashley Williams put aside his Everton woes to provide the type of solid platform we expect from the skipper, James Chester and Chris Gunter did their bit, too.
It is the solidity of the back four that provides the very platform from which Wales are winning these crucial games.
Another clean sheet against Ireland and Wales are guaranteed runners-up spot in Group D.
GEORGIA OFF OUR MINDS AT LAST
Georgia have been something of a bogey team to Wales. We lost our first game to them in 1994 by a whopping 5-0 margin, saw Vinnie Jones sent off in the Cardiff Arms Park return as Wales fell again. Wales then lost a friendly, only drew at home to Georgia earlier in this campaign.
Finally, though, the jinx has been broken... and just when it matters most.
BRING ON IRELAND
Monday night, at Cardiff City Stadium, is going to be a riproaring occasion.
Wales versus Ireland, a sellout crowd. A night of special celebrations, we hope?
Are you ready?