The Dragons must avoid defeat to clinch a play-off home draw
WALES can secure a home play-off match tonight if they avoid defeat against Belgium.
Robert Page’s men are without talismanic striker Gareth Bale tonight. Bale, 32, played 45 minutes against Belarus on Saturday, but was forced off at half-time due to a recurring hamstring injury.
The absence of Bale is on paper a big blow to Welsh hopes of securing a home play-off, but members of The Red Wall think the squad is more than capable of securing a result without the Real Madrid man.
James Richards, 26, from Llanharan said: “It means an important home tie, so it’s a big deal for Wales.
“Obviously it’s a shame about Bale. Sentiment took over for him to get his 100th cap. Belgium are missing a lot of players themselves though.”
Belgium are missing a host of big names, including Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans, Real Madrid winger and goalkeeper Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois, as well as Lyon centre back Jason Denayer.
Colin Lewis, 43, from Cardiff said: “We’ve waited since 1958 to qualify. I know we’ve qualified for the Euros before but the World Cup is something extra.
“Bale’s injury is just one of those things. It’s a team game and we qualify as a team.”
With a draw, Wales virtually secure a home play-off place. However, if Wales were to draw and Turkey beat Montenegro by four goals then Wales will have an away match for their World Cup play-off.
If Wales lose tonight, they will play their match away from home.
With a play-off place secured via Wales’ performance in the UEFA Nations League, some fans aren’t feeling the pressure just yet.
Dylan, 21, from Newport, said: “We’ve got both play-offs anyway, so I’ll feel pressure when they actually happen.”
But Dylan conceded: “A draw or win would be lush. Everyone loves an underdog.”
The 2022 World Cup, taking place between November 21 and December 18, will feature 32 teams in eight groups of four. Aside from the group winners, who qualify for the tournament automatically, the 10 group runners-up as well as the two best group winners from the 2021 UEFA Nations League will compete in the World Cup play-offs, which take place from March 24 to 29.
At the November play-off draw on November 26 those 12 teams will be drawn into three play-off paths for a series of one-off semi-finals and a final, with the winners of each path qualifying for the World Cup.
The six best sides will have a home draw, while the remaining four and the Nations League teams are unseeded and will have an away tie.
Additional reporting by Aled Biston.
