Key occasions
36 min: Croatia actually not having fun with themselves, the Welsh forwards operating again to deal with after they suppose they’ve time on the ball.
33 min: Brozovic, one among that trio of midfielders that took Croatia to such heights, steps ahead. None of them have had it simple in Cardiff.
31 min: Croatia making an attempt to step out, having been penned again, however then Wales go lengthy, and Neco Williams follows up on Harry Wilson’s flick and lets fly. Good save from Livakovic once more. Will Wales come to rue their dominance not leading to a purpose?
29 min: Beautiful holdup play from Kieffer Moore, such a very good contact for a giant man. Perhaps not the very best finisher ever, however a fantastic footballer. Bournemouth ought to use him extra, and by the tip of the season, might nicely do.
28 min: A Croatia assault, and Ben Davies covers nicely to chop off Majer.
26 min: Livakovic collects the ball from a flick-on and takes his time. Croatia want a breather, and are in peril after that loss to Turkey.
25 min: Livakovic makes a multitude of the nook and Modric – nameless to this point – has to hack clear. It’s all Wales. They’ve been glorious.
24 min: Shut! Brozovic performs draught excluder however Wilson beats the wall, and Livakovic makes a fantastic save. It was most likely going to hit the publish.
23 min: Vida – who else – smashes down Wilson, after a fantastic go from David Brooks. Wales have a free-kick in a harmful place.
21 min: What an extended throw from Conor Roberts, the inheritor to Andy Legg in launching a bullet into the Croatia field. Vinnie Jones might launch them, too.
19 min: Do Wales and Bournemouth followers sing that they want they might be like David Brooks? Maybe they could.
16 min: First likelihood for Croatia however Brekalo heads over. Wales seemed to have him coated.
15 min: Croatia’s followers are fairly atonal versus the terpsichorean tones of Wales’ followers. However they’re making loads of noise.
12 min: Wilson is launched by Brooks, and performs in Moore, Vida having to return throughout to clear. Wales are providing actual hazard.
10 min: Brooks, of whom a lot is requested within the absence of Aaron Ramsey, drops deep however can’t get away. Jordan James, on the different finish, will get concerned in a midfield tussle. He appears to be like fairly a prospect.
8 min: Brooks hooks it ahead, Moore makes an attempt to do the identical. Croatia look to have calmed down from a quite panicky begin.
6 min: Harry Wilson is clattered by Kovacic, however appears to be like to be OK. The Metropolis man didn’t maintain again in any respect.
4 min: Wales are…getting it launched. Danny Ward, the goalie, whacks one first time into the rafters. Then, he reads an extended ball himself and units up an assault. David Brooks was shut. Breathless to this point.
3 min: Ampadu is crowded out because the ball is pumped into the field. Vida, with that Croydon facelift of a topknot, nearly snuffs out the hazard.
2 min: Large noise in Cardiff. Would advise anybody who dismisses worldwide soccer to soak up a Wales sport within the capital. Passionate doesn’t come shut.
1 min: There’s a minute’s silence for many who have been misplaced within the battle in Israel and Palestine…and away we go, Neco Williams going near discovering Kieffer Moore with a go inside.
The Welsh nationwide anthem – Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau – rings out. Unbelievable sound. The Welsh nation is hurting after what occurred within the rygbi on Saturday. Can Rob Web page’s males revive spirits?
The Cardiff Metropolis Stadium rings out to the sound of The Alarm’s 68 Weapons. It was solely 40 years in the past. North Wales’s reply to The Conflict crossed with The Boss? With John Cooper Clarke on drums.
Peter Oh will get in contact: “The Croatian warm-up package is spectacular, with its eight sponsors that includes on the entrance of the shirt. I suppose that is how they will afford to have the thoracic backbone rotations supported by somebody apart from who’s underwriting the calf stretches and heel kicks.”
Croatia misplaced to Turkey on Wednesday, which wasn’t useful for Wales make three modifications .Josip Juranovic, Domagoj Vida and Lovro Majer are available for Josip Stanisic, Josip Sutalo and Mario Pasalic. Ivan Perisic is amongst an inventory of accidents thought there’s at all times Luka Modric. .
Wales beat Latvia 2-0 of their final qualifier and make simply two modifications, with the injured Brennan Johnson and Aaron Ramsey changed by David Brooks and Kieffer Moore.
The wonderful Ben Fisher is our man within the Wales camp.
With hopes of securing an computerized place at Euro 2024 within the stability, the worth of victory on Sunday over the Group D leaders, Croatia, could be priceless, a efficiency for the ages a bonus. A win of any form – unconvincing or cogent – might have an enduring impact heading into the ultimate spherical of qualifiers subsequent month.
The groups
Wales: Ward; Roberts, Rodon, Mepham, Davies (c); J.James, Wilson, Ampadu, Williams; Brooks, Moore. Subs: Hennessey, King, Lockyer, Bradshaw, Levitt, Cullen, Savage, Poole, Low, D. James, Sheehan, Broadhead
Croatia: Livakovic; Juranovic, Vida, Gvardiol, Barisic; Modric (c), Brozovic, Kovacic; Majer, Musa, Brekalo. Subs: Labrovic, Ivusic, Stanisic, Erlic, Sutalo, Vlasic, Pasalic, Moro, Sosa, Beljo
Preamble
Wales have an opportunity, not a giant likelihood however an opportunity nonetheless of constructing the highest two in Group D; To take action, they should beat Croatia, one of many wiliest outfits in world soccer. For now, the strain on Rob Web page has been lifted however which may be on a sport by sport foundation. The damage record will not be useful, with no Aaron Ramsey main the record. Pulling this off could be one of many nice nights. Let’s see if it may be achieved.
Kick-off is at 7.45pm UK time. Be part of me.
