Austria? It’s not like they’re Spain
WALES face Austria in Cardiff this evening knowing they must win if they are to keep their hopes of qualifying for next summer’s World Cup on track.
Chris Coleman’s men are level on points with their opponents in the Welsh capital and two adrift of joint leaders in their group, the Republic of Ireland and Serbia.
It is a tense situation. Win, and Gareth Bale and Co can start dreaming of Russia.
Lose, and their hopes of repeating their last major tournament effort – the run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 – will have received what could be a fatal blow.
With plenty riding on the 90 minutes, you would think there might be nerves around the Wales camp. Not a bit of it, they insist.
“We can win the last four games and that’s no disrespect to Austria, Moldova, Georgia and the Republic of Ireland,” said Coleman.
“I know this is a statement but I’ll say it – it could be Brazil, Spain and Germany.
“I have that much confidence in our players and in our team. If we get it right, there’s nobody we need to fear.
“A draw in this game won’t do either of us any good, so you would imagine something will have to give.
“It will be a great game and both teams are going to go for it, but we’ve been here before and we know how to handle these situations.”
Wales travel to Moldova on Tuesday and six points are a necessity if they are to qualify. But Coleman insists the experience he has at his disposal means the men in red will thrive under pressure.
He has Real Madrid star Bale back from a ban to lead the charge, but Joe Allen and Neil Taylor are suspended, so he must decide whether to risk Joe Ledley – who is short on match fitness due to being without a club – in midfield. “We need to show some resilience, keep the belief, stay confident and turn a draw into a win,” said Coleman.
“If you look at the players in our squad, the total number of caps is a big positive.
“You can play at any level of football domestically but when you step up to international football it’s a different kettle of fish. For us to have players who have 60, 70 or 80 caps is a big thing.” But Wales have drawn their last five qualifiers and were held to a 2-2 draw in Vienna.
Marko Arnautovic scored twice in that draw and the new West Ham forward will probably be the man they have to stop in Cardiff.
Chris Gunter – on his 80th cap – is likely to be charged with keeping Arnautovic quiet.
Coleman, who has said this will be his last qualifying campaign in charge, is relishing the challenge.
“I can’t think anything else other than we’re going to Russia. I’m positive, we’re in a good place. We need a big result and a big performance in this game. Forget the next three,” he said.
“I don’t regret saying this will be my last campaign. I wear my heart on my sleeve. Not everyone does.
“I was honest and I do miss the day-to-day work. The tradeoff is watching the boys singing the national anthem in Cardiff and I’m fronting that.
“To think going into this game that someone could be stood there doing it instead of me leaves a real bad taste.
“I thrive on that. I can’t sit here and say these are going to be the outcomes. The aim is Russia and that means we have to get Austria sorted out.
“I’ve had other offers, but the thought of handing the job over and someone else standing there instead of me doesn’t sit well.
“I’m all in, I’m still manager of Wales. I think we’ll take it to the wire, I really believe that.”
WALES (probable): Hennessey; Chester, Williams, Davies; Gunter, King, Ledley, Taylor; Bale, Ramsey; Vokes.