06 September, 2017
"Sometimes you have to dig a result out, you have to suffer and come through it", said Wales manager Chris Coleman.
"Most importantly, we got the three points and are still in with a good chance of doing something".
Bale met Woodburn at a friendly match that saw them sit next to each other due to Bale missing the game due to injury. It did not get any better on the pitch despite Gary Speed's first worldwide goal giving Wales an early lead. But I didn't put him on because I thought he can't go anywhere now.
"We need to forget the mistakes we have made and look forward". As the chances dried up, Moldova proved to be lively but Wales dealt with the threat posed well.
Chris Coleman's side leapfrogged Ireland into second place in group D and set up a probable showdown between the countries in Cardiff on October 9 for a place in the World Cup play-offs.
Robson-Kanu went even closer in the 19th minute, somehow denied by a desperate block on the line after Ramsey's point-blank follow-up from a Gareth Bale shot was smothered by goalkeeper Ilie Cebanu. The Moldova captain was booked as Bale rose gingerly to his feet, but the challenge seemed to stir the hosts as Alexandru Dedov and Artur Ionita tried their luck from distance.
Four minutes later, he almost made victory certain, dancing into space in the box and hitting a solid shot that goalkeeper Ilie Cebanu needed to be strong to save.
The 17-year old scored the victor against Austria on Saturday within four minutes of his introduction and it was his assist that allowed Hal Robson-Kanu to break the deadlock in Moldova. I've never been one to look beyond the next game.
Moldova, who gave as good as they got throughout the game, then nearly leveled the scores, with Andrei Cojocari forcing Wayne Hennessey into a fine save.
The three points moves Wales into second place in Group D - one point above the Republic of Ireland, who were beaten 1-0 by leaders Serbia in Dublin. 'It's really improved, ' said Coleman.
It was a good win. It's theirs to lose.
The trend setters were the John Charles-inspired 1958 squad who couldn't get their placement right ahead of a play-off with Israel. Absolutely, no problem at all.
"We said we had to win the last four games - 50% is done". Fifty per cent is done.
BEN WOODBURN last night helped keep Wales on course for a trip to the World Cup finals in a nerve-wracking qualifier against Moldova in Chisinau.
"It does make me feel old - I'm 11 years older than him", Bale said.
"He's so young, but he showed again that he's good enough and capable enough".
