WALES will face Ukraine in Cardiff for a World Cup spot TODAY – and they’ll be eager to clinch a spot at the major event for the first time since 1958.
However, the Ukrainians will be hoping to bring some much needed joy to their war torn nation for the winter.
- Start time: 5pm GMT
- TV/Live stream: Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League / S4C
- Wales XI: Hennessey; Roberts, Davies, Rodon, Williams; Ampadu, Ramsey, Allen, James; Moore, Bale
- Ukraine XI: Bushchan; Karavaev, Zabarnyi, Matvienko, Mykolenko; Stephanenko; Yaramolenko, Malinovyski, Zinchenko, Tsygankov; Yaremchuk
Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
Disallowed goal!
4. The free-kick that resulted from Joe Allen’s foul was smashed in by Zinchenko, but disallowed for being taken too quickly.
The retaken free kick is caught by Hennessey.
0-0.
Bright start for Ukraine
2. Ukraine have been on top of possession in the first few minutes.
Joe Allen receives a yellow card for an early foul.
Ukraine in the rain
0. The rain is pouring in Wales as it always does, and the referee (Who refereed Chelsea’s UCL Final against Manchester City) gets us underway in Wales this afternoon!
The players are out
The players have taken the field, there is a sign of peace on the floor as everyone in the ground shows solidarity with the Ukrainian national side and the country as a whole.
The national anthems are being sung, and then we will have kick off with you in just a few minutes.
TEN minute warning
We have just 10 minutes before kick-off in this one, so grab some snacks and a drink, and settle in for a spectacular evening of football.
The stadium is rocking here in Wales.
Have YOUR say.
Gareth the GOAT
Wales have had some exceptional players down the years.
Giggs, Rush, Speed and so many more feature among their legends.
But none of them come close to Gareth Bale, he is a devastatingly good attacker, who has an eye for goal, and a big goal at that.
He scored two huge goals in the Semi-Final against Austria, including a stunning free kick, which was just a glimpse of his class.
Bale’s incredible free kick against Austria.Credit: Getty Zinner in an attacking role
It is well known amongst Manchester City players that Olexandr Zinchenko is one of the most technically gifted in their side.
Whilst we are used to seeing him play in the left-back position for the Cityzens, he is deployed in an attacking midfield role for his national side.
This is a position that he excels in, with his dynamism and technical ability crucial to the Ukrainians successes.
Serious quality
Whilst the main focus of people’s attention on Ukraine is related to the war, the quality of their squad should not be forgotten.
They have serious players in their ranks, with the likes of Zinchenko, Yarmolenko, Malinovskyi and so many more who are capable of the extraordinary.
Zinchenko has been an impeccable player for Man City and Ukraine this season.Credit: Getty
More than football
Today is a huge occasion that cannot be understated, and Bill Shankly’s famous quote has never rang so true.
“Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.”
Ukraine substitutes
Zubkov, Pyatov, Sydorchuk, Riznyk, Dovbyk, Shaparenko, Sobol, Mudryk, Bondar, Kacharaba, Pikhalyonok, Syrota.
Ukraine Starting XI
Bushchan, Karavaev, Zabarnyi, Matvienko, Mykolenko, Stepanenko, Yarmolenko, Malinovskyi, Zinchenko, Tsygankov, Yaremchuk.
64 Years of hurt
Wales have not appeared at the World Cup since 1958, when a 17-year-old Pele scored to knock them out in the quarter-finals.
Yes, Pele was 17.
The Welsh people had to wait until EURO 2016 to reach another international tournament, in which they impressively reached the Semi-Finals, and lost to eventual winners Portugal.
Pele was a formidable opponent, not just for Wales.Credit: Getty Wales substitutes
Ward, Davies, Gunter, Mepham, Wilson, Johnson, Morrell, Norrington-Davies, Williams, Harris, Thomas, Matondo.
Wales Starting XI – Bale starts
Hennessey, Ampadu, Rodon, Davies, Roberts, Allen, Ramsey, Williams, James, Bale, Moore.
Written in the stars?
Today Ukraine will be aiming to slay the Welsh dragon in this play-off final, and they will have the world of football cheering them on.
After what they have been through this year, it would be poetic for them to secure their place in the World Cup.
They definitely have a talented enough squad to be a part of the competition, and showed their class in their recent 3-1 win against Scotland.
Wales, however, have a great squad of their own, and it is impossible to write off Gareth Bale and his heroics.
A Ukraine supporter holds a flag bearing the name of his war-torn home city.Credit: Alamy Welcome to Wales vs Ukraine!
Good evening and welcome to SunSport’s coverage of Wales vs Ukraine.
This is a World Cup play-off final game, so the victors will secure their place in the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
We are set to see some exceptional talent on display, as these two sides have some greats at their disposal.
It is set to be a cracker, as there is so much on the line for these two.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
