[0762]

Well this eagerly anticipated WC quali final is certainly intriguing. Wales caretaker manager, Rob Page, resting all his key players last night v Poland and consequently losing their Nations League match 2-1. I reckon Wales will win this final mainly because they are playing at home and they'll have had a good look at the Scotland semi-final debacle v Ukraine at Hampden Park last night. A lotta folk not knowing what to expect from this Ukraine team until they "showed up" last night. Now the Welsh players and coaching staff have a better idea of what to expect, how to play them and target some clear weaknesses in certain positions. IMO Scotland were never gonna win that final if they had managed to get there as this current team/line up not good enough and tactically inept. This match v Ukraine could well "go all the way" to a pk decider although I have a hunch that Gareth Bale will play a pivotal role in Wales qualifying for the first time since 1958 - a historic moment!

[hibeejim21]

On the rare occasions we pressured them Ukraine didn't look too comfortable and their keeper is a bombscare.

If wales get the tactics right they have a great chance.

[HerefordBull]

Cymru am byth!

[hibeejim21]

Quite looking forward to this now.

[0762]

Should be a very good match with so much at stake and no doubt some players will "fail the temperament test" with so much pressure to qualify for a World Cup tourney if a win is registered tomorrow. Also noticeable that a lotta Ukraine players tired considerably in the final quarter of the match at Hampden Park, something the Wales manager and coaching staff must have observed and Wales players may well "push on" to them in a hi-press strategy in the same way Scotland did it, but with a better outcome.

[Lord Snooty]

Cagey first half and Wales score through the worst free kick Bale has ever taken. 

Ukraine should've had a penalty though. What's the point of VAR? That was as stonewall as the two Town had turned down last week.

---

They're saying maybe he made a meal of it. Which is what they said abouts Toffolo last week.

A trip's a trip. Penalty!

[hibeejim21]

......Ukraine getting cheated blind here.

*1966 reference shoehorned in too C*nts.

[0762]

Anyway, well done Wales. I couldn't have predicted that result more accurately although the Bale free kick was a wicked deflection. And that Welsh crowd was fantastic, definitely a 12th man and extremely intimidating. Scoring the 1st goal was huge for Wales as it had Ukraine "chasing the match" and the Welsh players battling for every ball, giving no quarter (are you watching Scotland players!!!) and their goalie, Hennesey, was outstanding. He would've saved a pk anyway although I'm glad they were not awarded one because that would've been a possible "get out" goal after f##### up and "choking" on so many decent scoring opps created from outfield play. Another devolved country qualifies and does it for the 1st time since 1958. GREAT STUFF!!!

[hibeejim21]

Feel sorry for Ukraine but thought it might be a step too far in the end fitness wise. They were the better side in the main today again but didn't get the break from VAR.

Still really pissed off with Clarke.

[0762]

I think more questions and pressure would've been applied to Steve Clarke had it not been this kinda unusual semi-final match v Ukraine and the fact he has managed a team that has attained a good unbeaten run of results plus qualified for Euro 2021 for the first time in decades. His team choice was wrong, his tactics an absolute gaffe and his response to a shockingly poor start to a football game was nil - he did nothing to rectify glaring defensive and mid probs plus he previously knew that "two up top", with Adams and Dykes together, doesn't work. He also fielded certain players who were clearly jaded or "out of their depth", very poor judgement calls IMO!! One can only assume he had some constraints because of injuries to other key players. The Welsh team displayed a fully committed effort to take on Ukraine and their manager must have played a big part in "battling out" this match. Scotland never got anywhere near that level of commitment for the cause and that sheds a "poor light" on Clarke's ability to motivate a team under such circumstances.