WORLD CUP QUALIFIER: WALES V UKRAINE MATCH THREAD

A little into the actual game but thought a match tgread would be appropriate, given the massive implications of the result either way...

So far, it"s been a bit of a mixed bag with both teams having opportunities and Wales probably having the best opportunity from Gareth Bale

Two early (3rd minute) yellow cards for Wales (Joe Allen for a late tackle and Dan James needlessly sticking his oar in ) put a little pressure on and Ukraine seized the game for a few minutes, as Wales regrouped

Ukraine have had more chances but I feel Wales' have had the better until the last couple of minutes where Wales appear more undrr pressure when they lose tgeir own ball and Ukraine counter attack

Wayne Hennessy has been our MotM so far and that is slightly worrying

Yellow card for Everton's Mykelenko for a (slight elbow) on Dan James as he sped up the sideline

Unbelievable as Yarmelenko does what Keiffer hasn't to date and inadvertantly heads the ball into his own net from a Gareth Bale free kick for an own goal

LATEST SCORE: WALES 1 - 0 UKRAINE
Scorer: Yarmekenko og, 34 mins (assist by Gareth Bale

Wales get away (IMHO) after a clumsy challenge by Joe Allen is checked by VAR and a penalty is declined

LATEST SCORE: WALES 1 - 0 UKRAINE
Scorer: Yarmelenko (og, 34 mins) - Assist: Gareth Bale

As half-time comes it's Wales who have the advantage after a Gareth Bale free-kick was redirected into his own net by Ukraine's Yarmalenko. He coukdn't have done it better, if it was up the other end...

Overall, it was a tough first half with Ukraine looking strong going forward but their defence and keeper (in particukar) looking a bit shaky when pressured

Wales need to be a little careful in the second half with Dan James in particular needing to calm down after a pointless yellow card in the 3rd minute and a couple of rash tackles later in the half

Wales simply have to be happy to this point and Robert Page has the opportunity to rearrange the formation ahead of what is surely going to be a tough second half...

HALF-TIME SCORE: WALES 1 - 0 UKRAINE
Scorer: Yarmolenko (og, 34 mins) - Assist: Gareth Bale

I am fitter than Aaron Ramsey, he is well off the pace.

Big decision for Page as the midfield needs legs and Rambo is not disciplined enough when fit, but is just a turnover machine today

This game is on a knife edge. The Ref has been consistent in all he has done so we will have no excuses there.

IMO keep it tight for the 1st 20 minutes of the second half and then wait for their legs to tire.

This game is on a knife edge. The Ref has been consistent in all he has done so we will have no excuses there.

IMO keep it tight for the 1st 20 minutes of the second half and then wait for their legs to tire.

Totally agree. I was a little concerned the 'sympathy machine' might work against Wales in some way (e.g. the penalty decision?) but so far the decisions have been fair to good

I felt we could have got behind the team a lot more started getting subdue around the 20 min mark.
But who cares we going to the finals.

I am fitter than Aaron Ramsey, he is well off the pace.

Big decision for Page as the midfield needs legs and Rambo is not disciplined enough when fit, but is just a turnover machine today

Seems you were right, as he (Rambo) puts a simple one wide from some excellent Welsh work and pass from Keiffer Moore

LATEST SCORE: WALES 1 - 0 UKRAINE
Scorer: Yarmolenko (og, 34 mins) - Assist: Gareth Bale

Sheesh, great chance set up by Moore and Ramsey fluffs it.

A let off for Wales, as Yarmalenko goes close again; this time at the Wales end!

Ukraine attack caused a moment of mayhem but Wales survive and are looking pretty resolute, although the time for some changes is surely near?

LATEST SCORE: WALES 1 - 0 UKRAINE
Scorer: Yarmolenko (og, 34 mins) - Assist: Gareth Bale

A great tackle from Ben Davies sees Wales thwart another Ukrainian attack

60 mins gone...

LATEST SCORE: WALES 1 - 0 UKRAINE
Scorer: Yarmolenko (og, 34 mins) - Assist: Gareth Bale

Getting exciting now, as a great pass from Gareth Bale and run from Dan James see Wales go close again

The resulting corner is beaten away and comes to nothing before Neco Williams puts in a sterling piece of defensive work at the other end

LATEST SCORE: WALES 1 - 0 UKRAINE
Scorer: Yarmolenko (og, 34 mins) - Assist: Gareth Bale

We're moving into counter attack territory.....but living on the edge... I might stop watching lokl

This is tough stuff but exciting, as Ben Davies stops a very good Ukrainian attack with a super tackle

Ukraine make a change, so should Wakes do similar?

Keiffer not doing too much right now (a better substitute?) and even Rambo looking leggy...

LATEST SCORE: WALES 1 - 0 UKRAINE
Scorer: Yarmolenko (og, 34 mins) - Assist: Gareth Bale

Substitute for Wales...

Brennan Johnson on for Dan James

LATEST SCORE: WALES 1 - 0 UKRAINE
Scorer: Yarmolenko (og, 34 mins) - Assist: Gareth Bale

I am fitter than Aaron Ramsey, he is well off the pace.

Big decision for Page as the midfield needs legs and Rambo is not disciplined enough when fit, but is just a turnover machine today

Seems you were right, as he (Rambo) puts a simple one wide from some excellent Welsh work and pass from Keiffer Moore

LATEST SCORE: WALES 1 - 0 UKRAINE
Scorer: Yarmelenko (og, 34 mins) - Assist: Gareth Bale

Rambo is an attacking midfielder, he plays with freedom i love but his little flicks and feints are a thing of beauty in their half when on song. I just don't think he is a sitter, we need a presser on now ,it's not about his late runs now

A great Rambo cross sees Wales hit the post after the ball goes over Keiffer's head and Johnson fires towards goal after a super start to his game

Gareth Bale then goes close, as Wales look to insure their narrow but important lead...

LATEST SCORE: WALES 1 - 0 UKRAINE
Scorer: Yarmolenko (og, 34 mins) - Assist: Gareth Bale

I am fitter than Aaron Ramsey, he is well off the pace.

Big decision for Page as the midfield needs legs and Rambo is not disciplined enough when fit, but is just a turnover machine today

Seems you were right, as he (Rambo) puts a simple one wide from some excellent Welsh work and pass from Keiffer Moore

LATEST SCORE: WALES 1 - 0 UKRAINE
Scorer: Yarmelenko (og, 34 mins) - Assist: Gareth Bale

Rambo is an attacking midfielder, he plays with freedom i love but his little flicks and feints are a thing of beauty in their half when on song. I just don't think he is a sitter, we need a presser on now ,it's not about his late runs now

A very fair point very well made...

Ben Davis immense....he's holding this together on his own, another great block.

Ukraine resorting to long pot shots now, as Wales defend with resolve

A couple of nighly Ukrainian tackles going in and, for me, that's a sign of a tired Ukraine

Gareth Bale off for Harry Wilson, as Wales seek to see outvthe last 8 mins plus stoppage

LATEST SCORE: WALES 1 - 0 UKRAINE
Scorer: Yarmolenko (og, 34 mins) - Assist: Gareth Bale

WOW! What a save from Wayne Hennessy...!

That was world class and keeps Wales in front with minutes to go...!

LATEST SCORE: WALES 1 - 0 UKRAINE
Scorer: Yarmolenko (og, 34 mins) - Assist: Gareth Bale

Unbelievable save by Hennessey

Unbelievable save by Hennessey

Yeah. Pray that's knocked the stuffing out of Ukraine.

Hennessey MOTM by a country mile. Those saves are as good as scoring goals.

Wales defensive resolution is superb, as they get their feet to some seemingly goal-bound Ukrainian shots...

2 minutes plus added time to go and still all to play for, as Ukraine shoot well wide again and feel the tension of the drip drip of time...

LATEST SCORE: WALES 1 - 0 UKRAINE
Scorer: Yarmolenko (og, 34 mins) - Assist: Gareth Bale

Hennessey MOTM by a country mile. Those saves are as good as scoring goals.

100% mate...

5 mins of added time...

How Wales have defended as a unit has been impressive with their total commitment!

LATEST SCORE: WALES 1 - 0 UKRAINE
Scorer: Yarmolenko (og, 34 mins) - Assist: Gareth Bale

This is tense beyond but Wales know they are close...

That's it! Wales through to their first World Cup Finals since the reached the Quarter Finaks (lost 1 - 0 to Brazil and a Pele goal) in 1958

Congratulation Wales

FINAL SCORE: WALES 1 - 0 UKRAINE
Scorer: Yarmolenko (og, 34 mins) - Assist: Gareth Bale

Hennessey MOTM by a country mile. Those saves are as good as scoring goals.

100% mate...

5 mins of added time...

How Wales have defended as a unit has been impressive with their total commitment!

LATEST SCORE: WALES 1 - 0 UKRAINE
Scorer: Yarmolenko (og, 34 mins) - Assist: Gareth Bale

And we're through!