Soccer

Ben Davies confident Wales will beat Moldova

Win over Austria has lifted morale in Welsh side ahead of final three Group D clashes

Wales winger Gareth Bale during a training session in Hensol ahead of his side’s game against Moldova. Photograph: David Davies/PA Wire

Mon Sep 4 2017 - 19:48

Victory over bottom-placed Moldova this evening would see Wales put the pressure on Serbia and the Republic of Ireland ahead of the final two Group D fixtures in October.

"We had to beat Austria to keep it going," said Leicester midfielder Andy King. "We needed to build momentum and we have done that. We want to make sure we use that on Tuesday against Moldova.

“We know it is not going to be perfect football every game, but Austria showed they are a good team. Most importantly, we got the three points and are still in with a good chance of doing something.”

Tottenham defender Ben Davies echoed King's thoughts that Wales now have the platform to qualify for next summer's finals in Russia. After Moldova, Wales finish with another away game in Georgia before hosting the Republic in their final qualifier.

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“Picking up three points is exactly what we wanted to do against Austria,” Davies said. “We have to go to Moldova and do the same, but the feeling is that we can have momentum again.”

Upset

Moldova manager Igor Dobrovolski insists his team can upset Wales' World Cup ambitions.

Wales arrive in Chisinau with renewed optimism that they can make next summer’s World Cup finals in Russia after Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Austria.

Moldova have lost five of their seven qualifiers and are yet to register a win.

“I have a small goal now [in this World Cup campaign] and it is to win,” Dobrovolski said at his prematch press conference. “We need to forget the mistakes we have made and look forward.

“This is a difficult game but, like in basketball and hockey, you focus on the next win – and that’s what we will do.”

Despite their travails in the group – Moldova’s only points have come from two draws against Georgia – a 10,400-capacity crowd is expected at the compact Zimbru Stadium.

Triumph

And Dobrovolski believes that will help Moldova’s hopes of claiming a first competitive victory since a 5-2 away triumph over Montenegro in October 2013.

“I hope the crowd will be the 12th player on the pitch because we need their support,” Dobrovolski said on the back of Saturday’s 3-0 defeat in Serbia. “When I was a player and we lost 3-0 people would want to kill me.

“But these players need support – no matter how they played. I hope a full stadium will be more motivation for them.”

Moldova are set to be without injured pair Petru Racu and Alexandru Gatcan, but experienced defender Vitalie Bordian is available after suspension.

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