' NERVES SHOWED BUT WE'RE NEARLY THERE '
Thu Sep 03, 2015 9:01 pm
Cyprus 0-1 WALES 
Just one win away from securing qualification
Daily Mail
Thursday September 3rd 2015
The nerves began to show, but Wales now know their task. Beat Israel in Cardiff on Sunday and start booking the tickets to France. It is simple. It is also, undoubtedly, a little scary.
The prospect of qualifying for a first major tournament since 1958 seemed to exhibit itself in a tentative performance in Nicosia. Their passing repeatedly went awry and Cyprus, ranked 77 places below Chris Coleman’s side, showed enough mettle to deserve a point.
Then, nine minutes from time, Gareth Bale showed up. He flew through the air to connect full-heartedly and full-headedly with a right-wing cross by Ashley Richards. Seconds later he had sprinted into a huddle with a throng of Wales players and staff, the significance clear. Wales have one foot at Euro 2016.
Bale had actually been having a sub-par game, one of a few guilty of giving away possession too frequently. But he produced yet again when it mattered. He has now scored six of the nine Welsh goals in this campaign and assisted two more.
Wales have found things tough on this island previously. In three past meetings Cyprus have won twice, in 2005 and 2007, and succumbed only 1-0 in a 1993 World Cup qualifier.
Thursday night was more of the same. The humidity was a factor. Even at 9.45pm local time the match was played in 28 degrees heat.
Yet Coleman has instilled steel in his team and rarely are they beaten because their defence is so solid. Wales have not conceded now for the past 414 minutes.
Coleman had been preparing for this match since the glorious victory over Belgium in June, which catapulted Wales up the FIFA rankings to ninth and into top pot for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. By quirk of the calculations that win also sent Coleman’s side above England after historic results were discounted. Whether that says more about Wales or FIFA’s system time will tell.
Just one win away from securing qualification
Daily Mail
Thursday September 3rd 2015
The nerves began to show, but Wales now know their task. Beat Israel in Cardiff on Sunday and start booking the tickets to France. It is simple. It is also, undoubtedly, a little scary.
The prospect of qualifying for a first major tournament since 1958 seemed to exhibit itself in a tentative performance in Nicosia. Their passing repeatedly went awry and Cyprus, ranked 77 places below Chris Coleman’s side, showed enough mettle to deserve a point.
Then, nine minutes from time, Gareth Bale showed up. He flew through the air to connect full-heartedly and full-headedly with a right-wing cross by Ashley Richards. Seconds later he had sprinted into a huddle with a throng of Wales players and staff, the significance clear. Wales have one foot at Euro 2016.
Bale had actually been having a sub-par game, one of a few guilty of giving away possession too frequently. But he produced yet again when it mattered. He has now scored six of the nine Welsh goals in this campaign and assisted two more.
Wales have found things tough on this island previously. In three past meetings Cyprus have won twice, in 2005 and 2007, and succumbed only 1-0 in a 1993 World Cup qualifier.
Thursday night was more of the same. The humidity was a factor. Even at 9.45pm local time the match was played in 28 degrees heat.
Yet Coleman has instilled steel in his team and rarely are they beaten because their defence is so solid. Wales have not conceded now for the past 414 minutes.
Coleman had been preparing for this match since the glorious victory over Belgium in June, which catapulted Wales up the FIFA rankings to ninth and into top pot for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. By quirk of the calculations that win also sent Coleman’s side above England after historic results were discounted. Whether that says more about Wales or FIFA’s system time will tell.
Re: ' NERVES SHOWED BUT WE'RE NEARLY THERE '
Thu Sep 03, 2015 9:03 pm
Qualify since 1976 Carl. 
Re: ' NERVES SHOWED BUT WE'RE NEARLY THERE '
Thu Sep 03, 2015 9:24 pm
[quote="Rydogsccfc"]Qualify since 1976 Carl. [/quote
73/4 against Yugoslavia ninian park!
[/quote73/4 against Yugoslavia ninian park!
Re: ' NERVES SHOWED BUT WE'RE NEARLY THERE '
Thu Sep 03, 2015 10:02 pm
pembroke allan wrote:Rydogsccfc wrote:Qualify since 1976 Carl.
73/4 against Yugoslavia ninian park!
Correct.
Re: ' NERVES SHOWED BUT WE'RE NEARLY THERE '
Fri Sep 04, 2015 8:11 am
pembroke allan wrote:Rydogsccfc wrote:Qualify since 1976 Carl.
73/4 against Yugoslavia ninian park!
What a game that was, bloody East German referee
Re: ' NERVES SHOWED BUT WE'RE NEARLY THERE '
Fri Sep 04, 2015 6:39 pm
Already booked the camper van
Re: ' NERVES SHOWED BUT WE'RE NEARLY THERE '
Fri Sep 04, 2015 6:44 pm
Tony Blue Williams wrote:pembroke allan wrote:Rydogsccfc wrote:Qualify since 1976 Carl.
73/4 against Yugoslavia ninian park!
What a game that was, bloody East German referee
Think it was 76bad memory,
yes it was dodgy ref and flying corner flag! 