MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 04:22:40| >> :600:123733:123733:
[monks data]
Attendance: 31,745
Wales national football team
Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage
Oct 13, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
Croatia national football team

1-1

Bale (45')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Vlasic (9')

Harry Wilson insists Wales can beat Croatia

Harry Wilson insists Wales can beat Croatia
© Reuters
The Dragons lost 2-1 away to the World Cup finalists in June.

Harry Wilson believes Wales have the ability to upset World Cup finalists Croatia and boost their Euro 2020 qualification chances.

Wales kept their qualifying hopes alive with a battling 1-1 draw in Slovakia on Thursday.

Ryan Giggs' side remain three points off second-placed Slovakia but with a game in hand.

The Dragons' next test is against Group E leaders Croatia, who would secure qualification with a Cardiff win on Sunday.

Croatia won the reverse fixture 2-1 in June, but Wilson believes Wales acquitted themselves well that day in Osijek.

"We know what a fantastic team Croatia are," said Wilson, the Liverpool forward currently on loan at Bournemouth.

"But we went out there in the summer and, although we lost, we created chances.

"We know we're good enough to create chances against them and it's up to us to take them.

"We've got to recover now and make sure we're ready for that game."

Wales' Euro 2020 destiny remains in their own hands after holding Slovakia in a pulsating Trnava draw.

Three closing wins would guarantee second spot as Wales would finish above Slovakia on their head to head record, and two could be enough.

Wales finish their campaign in November away to Azerbaijan and at home to Hungary.

"We knew we had to come to Slovakia and not lose," said Wilson, mindful that Wales had won their Cardiff clash in March.

"That gives us a better head to head with Slovakia and that's a big advantage.

"But all our focus now is on Sunday and getting the result we need."

Wigan's 6ft 5ins striker Kieffer Moore put Wales ahead in Trnava with a goal on his first competitive start for his country.

Torquay-born Moore's roundabout route to the Wales stage has seen him work as a lifeguard, play in non-league football and in Norway, as well as represent England C.

Charlton defender Tom Lockyer said: "He's not done it the easy way – a bit like myself – and when you do that I think you appreciate it more.

"I thought he was superb. He gives you that something different, especially away from home.

"It's not always going to be pretty football. They're a good well-drilled team and they were pressing high, but he was a great out ball and I think he won everything in the air.

"He brought others into play and took his goal well, so I'm buzzing for him."

Lockyer also made his first competitive appearance as he got the nod over Ashley Williams to start alongside Swansea's Joe Rodon.

"I had a few minutes with Joe against Belarus but that's the first time I've properly played with him," said Lockyer.

"The gaffer (Ryan Giggs) pulled me to one side and said 'there's a reason why I'm picking you because you've impressed me at Charlton'.

"The fact it was a big occasion and a massive game to put his trust in me was brilliant."

ID:374688: cacheID:374688:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4489:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Aaron Ramsey in action during a Wales training session on October 9, 2019
Read Next:
Ryan Giggs hopeful of Aaron Ramsey fitness for Croatia clash
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain870121
Q Scotland flag Scotland852117
3 Norway Norway832311
4 Georgia Georgia82248
5 Cyprus Cyprus80080

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q France France871022
Q Netherlands Netherlands860218
3 Greece Greece841313
4 Ireland Rep. Ireland82066
5 Gibraltar flag Gibraltar80080

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England862020
Q Italy Italy842214
3 Ukraine Ukraine842214
4 Macedonia N. Macedonia82248
5 Malta flag Malta80080

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Turkey Turkey852117
Q Croatia Croatia851216
3 Wales flag Wales833212
4 Armenia Armenia82248
5 Latvia Latvia81073

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Albania national flag Albania843115
Q Czech Republic Czech Republic843115
3 Poland Poland832311
4 Republic of Moldova Moldova824210
5 Faroe Islands Faroe Islands80262

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Belgium Belgium862020
Q Austria Austria861119
3 Sweden Sweden831410
4 Azerbaijan Azerbaijan82157
5 Estonia Estonia80171

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Hungary Hungary853018
Q Serbia Serbia842214
3 Montenegro Montenegro832311
4 Lithuania Lithuania81346
5 Bulgaria Bulgaria80444

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Denmark Denmark1071222
Q Slovenia Slovenia1071222
3 Finland Finland1060418
4 Kazakhstan Kazakhstan1060418
5 Northern Ireland flag N. Ireland103079
6 San Marino flag San Marino1000100

Group I

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania1064022
Q Switzerland Switzerland1045117
3 Israel Israel1043315
4 Belarus Belarus1033412
5 Kosovo flag Kosovo1025311
6 Andorra flag Andorra100282

Group J

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal10100030
Q Slovakia Slovakia1071222
3 Luxembourg flag Luxembourg1052317
4 Iceland Iceland1031610
5 Bosnia Bosnia H'vina103079
6 Liechtenstein flag Liechtenstein1000100


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!