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Wales national football team
Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage
Mar 24, 2019 at 2pm UK
 
Slovakia national football team

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Ryan Giggs wants Wales to emulate 'Fergie time' Manchester United habit

The Dragons open their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign against Slovakia on Sunday.

Ryan Giggs hopes Wales develop a European Championship habit of scoring in the 'Fergie time' that he became accustomed to as a Manchester United player.

Ben Woodburn's injury-time winner against Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday was the second time in three games that Wales have scored in the 89th minute or beyond.

United specialised in late goals during Sir Alex Ferguson's 26 years at Old Trafford, and Giggs hopes his former manager's magic rubs off as Wales prepare to start their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign against Slovakia on Sunday.

Soccer – FA Cup – Third Round – West Ham United v Manchester United – Upton Park
Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United sides were the masters of scoring late goals (Nick Potts/PA)

Asked if scoring in what has generally become known as 'Fergie Time' is a good sign, manager Giggs said: "Yes, I've said that, as long as you've got a clean sheet.

"OK, it didn't come of anything against Denmark but we scored late on – and now we have done it again.

"That's a nice habit to have and that's what I said to the players.

"Once you have that trait it doesn't leave you.

"You know it, and the opposition know it as well, that you are a team that can score late."

Wales are confident Aaron Ramsey will be fit for the Slovakia game in Cardiff after a thigh injury.

Arsenal midfielder Ramsey sat out the Trinidad & Tobago win as Giggs rested his first-team almost en bloc.

"We've got a few bumps and bruises but then we have Friday and Saturday to prepare for the game," Giggs said.

Albania v Wales – International Friendly – Elbasan Arena
Wales are confident Aaron Ramsey will be fit to play against Slovakia in their opening European Championship qualifier (Adam Davy/PA)

"Aaron's injury is coming along nicely, we just have to monitor that. Everyone else is good.

"Ashley (Williams) and Paul Dummett needed a game, especially Ashley because he's been in and out (at Stoke).

"It gives me options going into the game on Sunday.

"I'll talk with the staff and see how the lads train in the next few days and then make the decision."

Wales beat Slovakia 2-1 at Euro 2016 at the start of their incredible run to the semi-finals in France.

Wales v Slovakia – UEFA Euro 2016 – Group B – Stade de Bordeaux
Hal Robson-Kanu celebrates after scoring Wales' winner against Slovakia in their Euro 2016 clash at Bordeaux (Mike Egerton/PA)

Slovakia are ranked 10 places below Wales in 29th and start the Euro 2020 qualifiers after a disappointing Nations League campaign which saw them relegated from League B.

"They have had two or three retiring but they are a good team and probably the nearest rivals to us," Giggs said.

"It's big game, but this is one of the big reasons why I was so excited to take the job.

"I wanted to be a part of a qualifying campaign and now we get that chance."

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Ryan Giggs in charge of Wales on March 20, 2019
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Cyprus Cyprus00000
2 Georgia Georgia00000
3 Norway Norway00000
Q Scotland flag Scotland00000
Q Spain Spain00000

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q France France00000
2 Gibraltar flag Gibraltar00000
3 Greece Greece00000
Q Netherlands Netherlands00000
5 Ireland Rep. Ireland00000

Group C

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Q Italy Italy00000
3 Malta flag Malta00000
4 Macedonia N. Macedonia00000
5 Ukraine Ukraine00000

Group D

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1 Armenia Armenia00000
Q Croatia Croatia00000
3 Latvia Latvia00000
Q Turkey Turkey00000
5 Wales flag Wales00000

Group E

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Q Czech Republic Czech Republic00000
3 Faroe Islands Faroe Islands00000
4 Republic of Moldova Moldova00000
5 Poland Poland00000

Group F

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2 Azerbaijan Azerbaijan00000
Q Belgium Belgium00000
4 Estonia Estonia00000
5 Sweden Sweden00000

Group G

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1 Bulgaria Bulgaria00000
Q Hungary Hungary00000
3 Lithuania Lithuania00000
4 Montenegro Montenegro00000
Q Serbia Serbia00000

Group H

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2 Finland Finland00000
3 Kazakhstan Kazakhstan00000
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5 San Marino flag San Marino00000
Q Slovenia Slovenia00000

Group I

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Andorra flag Andorra00000
2 Belarus Belarus00000
3 Israel Israel00000
4 Kosovo flag Kosovo00000
Q Romania Romania00000
Q Switzerland Switzerland00000

Group J

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Bosnia Bosnia H'vina00000
2 Iceland Iceland00000
3 Liechtenstein flag Liechtenstein00000
4 Luxembourg flag Luxembourg00000
Q Portugal Portugal00000
Q Slovakia Slovakia00000


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