THAT’S HAL OF A RELIEF
Coleman’s boys leave it late in finals push
HAL ROBSON-KANU and Aaron Ramsey left it until the closing minutes to keep Wales’ late charge for the World Cup finals right on track.
Just 10 minutes remained when Liverpool starlet Ben Woodburn put the ball on a plate for Robson-Kanu to head Wales ahead.
It came just three days after Woodburn announced himself on the international stage.
And Ramsey’s deflected effort curled into the net in injury-time to make sure Wales leapfrogged Ireland into second place in qualifying Group D.
Wales left nothing to chance in their bid to make a first appearance at a World Cup for 60 years.
Manager Chris Coleman ditched their ‘cursed’ grey away kit for a one-off yellow strip and welcomed back Joe Allen from suspension.
Trusted
Not even Woodburn, the hero of Wales’ win over Austria, could force his way into the starting line-up
Instead, Coleman stuck with Tom Lawrence and trusted Robson-Kanu to lead the line.
The Dragons boss was able to select Gareth Bale, Ramsey and Allen for only the third time in this campaign after Stoke midfielder Allen returned from suspension.
The packed balconies of the overlooking tower block saw West Brom striker Robson-Kanu head wide from an early Ramsey corner.
Somehow both failed to get on the scoresheet 10 minutes later after Bale’s fierce strike was spilled into their path. Ben Davies was next to try his luck when he controlled a high ball and unleashed a fierce long-range strike, but his effort flew just wide.
Ramsey had a golden chance to calm Welsh nerves on the stroke of half-time when Allen won the ball back and played him in, but the Arsenal midfielder screwed his shot into the stands.
Robson-Kanu had a chance to make early second-half pressure count but he failed to find the net after a trademark turn and shot.
Woodburn was thrown on in the 61st minute to add some spark, but Wales could have been behind after a mixup between James Chester and Ashley Williams.
Ramsey had a shot deflected but when hope was vanishing for the visitors, Woodburn burst down the left and crossed for Robson-Kanu to stoop and head Wales in front.
Ramsey then let loose from inside the box and saw his shot take a deflection over keeper Ilie Cebanu and into the net to wrap up the three points. MOLDOVA (4-2-3-1): Cebanu; Bordian, Posmac, Epureanu, Ruzgoniuc; Ionita, Anton; Graur, A Pascenco, Dedov; Ginsari. WALES (4-2-3-1): Hennessey; Gunter, Chester, Williams, Davies; King, Allen; Lawrence, Ramsey, Robson-Kanu; Bale. Referee: Pawel Raczkowski (Poland).