SAN FRANCISCO, November 15, (THEWILL) –Â Wales maintained their lead atop their UEFA Nations League group after a tense 1-nil victory over the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff.
It was a match that was sparse on action in the first period. In the few bright moments of the half, Tottenham Hotspur loanee Gareth Bale clipped the crossbar with an audacious 35-yard free-kick for Wales, and Stoke City winger James McClean forced a smart save from the feet of Welsh keeper Danny Ward with a low drive from a tight angle.
In the absence of coach Ryan Giggs, Wales’ interim manager, Robert Page, introduced Cardiff City striker Keiffer Moore just after the hour. This resulted in a change in formation that very quickly paid off.
A cross from Manchester United winger Daniel James was deflected to Gareth Bale at the back post. The forward headed it back across goal for the Bournemouth man David Brooks to nod in the winner from close range.
After Finland’s 2-1 victory over Bulgaria in Sofia in the group’s other fixture on Sunday, the tie between Finland and Wales on Wednesday, November 18 will be the group decider. To avoid a drop to League C, the Republic of Ireland must avoid defeat at home to Bulgaria on the same day.
As THEWILL reported previously, Giggs is not taking charge of Wales during this international break following his assault investigation. All the same, Wales are in charge of their own destiny ahead of the group decider against Finland on Wednesday.
They only require a draw to win the group and earn promotion to the A League in 2022-23.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
