The winner of the tie will book a spot in the finals in Qatar, later this year, where they will join the likes of England, Iran and USA in Group B.
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Wales will take on Ukraine in the World Cup qualification playoff final at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday. The winner of the tie will book a spot in the finals in Qatar, later this year, where they will join the likes of England, Iran and USA in Group B. Wales defeated Austria 2-1 in the semi-final in March, while the Blue and Yellow got the better of Scotland 3-1 at Hampden Park to make it this far. It’s definitely going to be a packed stadium in Cardiff for Sunday’s match as the Dragons will be playing probably one of the most important game in their sporting history, aiming to make the finals of the global event for the first time since 1958. Meanwhile the war-ridden visiting nation could be backed by the neutral fans and the rest of the world.
Just over two months ago, at the same venue, in Cardiff, Page’s side needed Gareth Bale’s heroics to get the better of Austria. The talismanic striker put the hosts ahead mid-way through the first half, before doubling the lead early in the second half. Although the visitors managed to pull one back through Marcel Sabitzer, the Dragons managed to hold on to the slender lead and one step closer to the World Cup. Since the win, the Dragons have failed to win in their two friendlies, against Czech Republic (1-1) and Poland (2-1) respectively. Meanwhile Page had rested the big names for both the friendlies, and they should be back for the crucial match. In the last match against Poland in Wroclaw, Wales broke the deadlock through Jonny Williams but the hosts managed to score two goals through Jakub Kaminski and Karol Swiderski, and thereby secured the win. The Dragons have been brilliant in their home turf, having strung together an impressive 18-game unbeaten streak.
On the other hand, on Wednesday Ukraine displayed a convincing team performance to get the better of Scotland on Wednesday. Andriy Yarmolenko opened the scoring before Roman Yaremchuk’s header doubled the lead. Although Callum McGregor pulled one back for the hosts, Arten Dovbyk’s injury-time goal restored Ukraine’s two goal cushion and sealed the victory. Just like Wales, Ukraine are on the cusp of reaching the World Cup finals for only the second time in their history. In 2006, the Blue and Yellow managed to reach the quarterfinals in Japan and South Korea. Oleksandr Petrakov’s side would be taking part in a competitive fixture for the first time since the dreadful conflicts began in their homeland earlier this year.
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Wales boss Page will welcome back stalwart Bale, Ben Davies, Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey after the quartet were rested during the friendlies, Meanwhile Joe Morrell is available after missing the semi-final through suspension. Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu are likely to return to the backline.
As for Ukraine, Petrakov has a full-strength squad at his disposal and he is unlikely to make any changes to the side that got the job done in the semi-final against Scotland. Yaremchuk will lead the attack with 45-goal winger Yarmolenko in support. Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko will operate in the midfield.
Wales probable starting lineup: Hennessey, Rodon, Ampadu, Davies, Roberts, Ramsey, Allen, Williams, Wilson, Bale, James.
Ukraine probable starting lineup: Bushchan, Karavaev, Zabarnyi, Matvienko, Mykolenko, Malinovskyi, Stepanenko, Zinchenko, Yarmolenko, Yaremchuk, Tsygankov.
The World Cup Qualifying play-off final between Wales and Ukraine will take place at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday, 9:30pm IST.
Select World Cup Qualifying matches will be telecast live on the Sony TEN network in India. Besides, live streaming of these matches will be available on SonyLIV and JioTV apps and OTT platforms in India.
