WALES took the points thanks to a goal from Moore – but what they really needed was more goals. Despite this hard-fought win, the Dragons ended up losing a bit of ground on Czech Republic in the race for second spot in Group E. Kieffer Moore’s scruffy early goal was all Rob Page’s men could […]
WALES took the points thanks to a goal from Moore – but what they really needed was more goals.
Despite this hard-fought win, the Dragons ended up losing a bit of ground on Czech Republic in the race for second spot in Group E.
Kieffer Moore’s scruffy early goal was all Rob Page’s men could manage in Tallinn – and in the end they were grateful to hang on for the win.
Their fate is still in their own hands but the chances are now they will have to get at least a point against world number ones Belgium in their final game.
And their struggles in front of goal could ultimately end up costing them a World Cup spot.
Estonia came into the game with a bit of confidence having beaten Belarus on Friday night – their first win in a competitive game in 19 matches.
They also got a creditable goalless draw in Cardiff just a month ago – when Arsenal’s young goalkeeper Karl Hein was outstanding.
So the Dragons had an idea what to expect – but the team Page picked suggested they would be going for it from the off.
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Wales were neck and neck with last Friday’s opponents Czech Republic in the race for second place – but slightly behind on goal difference.
And after their 2-0 win at Belarus last night – they are a little bit further adrift.
The home side had the first opportunity of the night as Taijo Teniste forced Danny Ward into a save – just what the Welsh number one needed after his howler in Prague.
Connor Roberts – making his first start in more than three months after groin surgery – brought a flying save out of Hein with a long range effort.
But they were ahead from the resulting corner as Dan James delivery was met by the head of Chris Mepham but blocked on the line.
Aaron Ramsey got his head on the rebound and his effort was again stopped by Sergei Zenjov but Moore was on hand to bundle the ball over the line.
The giant forward has endured a difficult start to the season at Cardiff but this was his seventh goal for his country since he made his debut just over two years ago.
This one meant Wales had taken the lead in each of their four qualifiers on the road in this campaign – now they had to hang onto it.
Moore could have added to the lead as he met a James cross from the right at the near post but Hein got down well to keep it out.
Despite being firmly in control, they twice almost gifted the home side an equaliser with Harry Wilson presenting the ball to Sergei Zenjov.
The former Blackpool man lifted the ball over Ward but was denied by a goal line clearance by Joe Rodon.
Wales have only twice scored more than two in their last 36 games so killing off opponents has often proved to be a problem.
And they were almost punished again soon after the break as Markus Poom – son of former Portsmouth keeper Mart – sent over a free-kick that Erik Sorga headed onto the roof of the net.
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At the other end Moore was caught by a flailing arm of Marten Kussk but the referee gave a free-kick to the home side – and the VAR surprisingly did not see enough to overrule him.
But most of the best chances were coming at the other end with Ward making a fine stop to keep out a curling shot from sub Vlasiy Sinyavskiy.
Job done – three points was the most important thing – but will the lack of goals ultimately come back to haunt them.
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