Wales and Austria will meet in their first leg of the World Cup Qualifiers semi-finals in Cardiff at the Cardiff City Stadium with the Dragons looking to get closer to ending a 64-year wait to return to the World Cup with either Scotland or Ukraine waiting for them in the final.
1958 was the last time Wales were flying high on the world stage, but with only two games standing between them and ending so many years of agony, Welsh fans will be confident by seeing their side go their last 16 home fixtures unbeaten amidst a time where the Austrians have struggled on the road.
Another day, another 🥜#TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/fR9JWJ485V— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) March 23, 2022
Another day, another 🥜#TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/fR9JWJ485V
Much of the attention has fallen on the shoulders of superstar names, Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale, with both of them seemingly ready to play here after missing much of the season due to injury.
Bale has barely played for Real Madrid but is set to captain Wales here, with Ramsey coming in after scoring his first goal for Rangers since switching from Juventus in January.
Austria have had a better time of things in their recent games after what was a struggling time during the European Championships where the nation won just once game in the tournament, despite pushing destined champions, Italy, right to the wire in extra time.
Marko Arnautovic and co. last played against Moldova in the World Cup Qualifiers where they won 4-2 to make it consecutive games where they have scored four goals, as Arnautovic himself netted three of the eight goals across the wins over Moldova and Israel.
As for Wales, they are in arguably the best form they've shown in the Robert Page era, who took over just before Euro 2020 for Ryan Giggs. Page's men recently drew 1-1 with old nemesis Belgium last time around, as Kieffer Moore got yet another goal for Wales.
Prior to this, a fantastic 5-1 display against Belarus would also get the Dragons roaring ahead of their semi-finals meeting with Austria, as that win forced them ahead of the Czech Republic in the Group E, to where a draw was all that was needed for Wales when they played against Belgium.
It is set to be a very close match here with both sides in a similar situation with their players’ form and what they can bring to the table. Wales’ star men like Bale and Ramsey have been far from in solid form this season, and on the other hand, Arnautovic is back in Europe with Bologna and playing very well in Serie A.
Forebet predicts a draw in 90 minutes here.