Coleman relishes Wales’ do-or-die clash
Wales boss Chris Coleman has welcomed the pressure of claiming a World Cup play-off place going down to the final game.
Coleman’s side beat Georgia 1-0 in Tbilisi to ensure they would be in pole position for second spot ahead of their group finale with the Republic of Ireland on Monday.
They could even claim top spot, following Serbia’s 3-2 loss in Austria left them just a point behind the leaders, who host Georgia next.
Tom Lawrence came up with a stunning 49th-minute winner to give Wales a third-successive Group D victory.
“It will be a sensational atmosphere in Cardiff,” Coleman said. “The Republic will come to party, they won’t fear us. They won’t be afraid, they’ll come to us and expect to get a result. We’ll be up against it, but these are the games you want to be involved in.
“How many times have we’ve been in this position with nothing on it?
“We always seem to play other countries who are involved and celebrating – but we welcome the pressure.” A draw against the Republic will be enough to seal at least second place. But Coleman said Wales will play their normal game and go out to win the match. “We’re on dangerous ground if we go in with a game plan of trying to soak the pressure up for 90 minutes,” Coleman said. “We are too good to do that. we’ll go and attack, go and score goals, we have to do that – it’s our strength.
“A point maybe OK, but we’ll go for three points. that’s the way it’s set up.”
Wales were without their star man Gareth Bale in Tbilisi, but Lawrence – like Liverpool teenager Ben Woodburn against Austria last month – stepped up when Wales needed a hero.
“I’m delighted for Tom, he deserves it,” Coleman said.
“He absolutely nailed his job, both in possession and out of possession, and showed great courage and maturity.”
Sunderland’s Jonny Williams was an unused sub.