World Cup

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World Cup Qualifying - Europe | Group Stage

Sep 5, 2016 at 7.45pm UK

Wales
4-0
Moldova

Vokes (38'), Allen (44'), Bale (51', 90')

FT(HT: 2-0)

Sam Vokes: 'Wales expect World Cup qualification'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 02 September 2016

Wales striker Sam Vokes insists that his side expect to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia following their exploits at Euro 2016 this summer.

Wales striker Sam Vokes has revealed that the team expect to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia following their impressive showing at Euro 2016.

Chris Coleman's side made it all the way to the semi-finals in France, climbing up to 11th in the FIFA world rankings as a result and being grouped among the top seeds in the European section of World Cup qualification.

Wales have not reached a World Cup since 1958, but Vokes insists that the recent success has raised their expectation levels ahead of the upcoming campaign.

"The goal for us is qualification, and it's probably the first time we've gone into a group stage with that expectation on us," Vokes told reporters.

"It's different, but we're going in as top seeds in our group and that means teams will come with a different mentality. Teams will come and perhaps sit in a bit more, so it's up to us to break them down.

"It's about us dealing with that sort of pressure, but we can't wait to get started. We feel it's a group that we can really go and attack and we'll obviously take a lot of confidence from the summer."

Wales begin their qualifying campaign at home to Moldova - a team 154 places below them in the rankings - on Monday night. Austria, Serbia, Republic of Ireland and Georgia have also been drawn in Group D.