Match Thread “ Armenia v Wales “

Wales play the first of two crucial EURO 2024 qualifiers on Saturday, when they travel to Armenia.

The game kicks off at 2pm UK time, it will be live on S4C and ViaPlay Sports.

Following this, they will play Turkey at CCS on Tuesday night.

If they win both games, Wales will qualify for next summer’s tournament in Germany.

If not, they will have to go through the Nations League play-offs.

Below is the Wales squad for these two games. Aaron Ramsey is still unavailable but Brennan Johnson returns from injury.


WALES SQUAD FOR ARMENIA & TURKEY GAMES

Wayne Hennessey (Nottingham Forest)
Danny Ward (Leicester City)
Tom King (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur)
Joe Rodon (Leeds United)
Tom Lockyer (Luton Town)
Chris Mepham (AFC Bournemouth)
Ben Cabango (Swansea City)
Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest)
Connor Roberts (Burnley)
Jay Dasilva (Coventry City)
Niall Huggins (Sunderland)

Ethan Ampadu (Leeds United)
Josh Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers)
Jordan James (Birmingham City)
Joe Morrell (Portsmouth)
Harry Wilson (Fulham)
David Brooks (AFC Bournemouth)

Dan James (Leeds United)
Nathan Broadhead (Ipswich Town)
Josh Cullen (Swansea City)
Brennan Johnson (Tottenham Hotspur)
Kieffer Moore (AFC Bournemouth)
Tom Bradshaw (Millwall)

Current Table:

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Wales currently sit level with Croatia on 10 points, while Armenia are on seven. Turkey, with 16, have already qualified.

Because the table is decided firstly on head-to-head records, rather than goal difference, Wales therefore know that equalling Croatia's points total should be enough.

But if Wales stumble in either of their games, Croatia would overtake them by beating Latvia and Armenia.

On paper, Wales' fixtures look tougher. Armenia have already tasted victory in Cardiff, while Turkey top the table.

But with fresh belief in the squad following last month's win, Wales go into both their final games as marginal favourites.

It may also work in their favour that Armenia need to win their final two games to keep their own Euro hopes alive, meaning that they're unlikely to settle for a draw - while Turkey now have little to play for.

Wales' game in Armenia kicks off earlier on Saturday, meaning Croatia will already know the state of play by the time they face Latvia later that evening.

Depending on the results of the two Saturday matches, the table below then shows what Wales would need on Tuesday evening, when they host Turkey while Croatia face Armenia.

Hope i'm wrong but i think Croatia are going above us. Can't see us beating Turkey unfortunately

Wales will be one win away from qualifying for Euro 2024 if they triumph in Armenia on Saturday.

Their hopes looked remote when they lost back-to-back games in June, but Wales are now second in Group D after September's win in Latvia and last month's stunning victory over Croatia.

Beat Armenia and then Turkey on Tuesday and Wales will qualify automatically.

"The positivity has been incredible. Our full focus is on this game," said manager Robert Page.

"We're not even talking about Tuesday's game.

"There's enough experience in that changing room of big games, when you need big players step up for big games, and this is a big game for us.

"We're coming off the back of one of the best performance we've ever had [against Croatia], certainly of my tenure.

"We can't be complacent, we need consistency when it comes to that level of performance. If we do that, the result will look after itself."
Wales' qualifying campaign looked to be in disarray when they suffered back-to-back defeats against Armenia and Turkey in the summer.

Losing 4-2 at home to Armenia was particularly damaging, with Page later saying he was "haunted" by his side's capitulation against a team then 71 places below them in the world rankings.

However, Wales revived their qualifying hopes with the victories over Latvia and Croatia leaving their destiny in their own hands.

If Page's side finish outside Group D's top two, they must rely on the play-offs in March, but the aim is undoubtedly to qualify automatically in order to reach a fourth major tournament out of five.

Both teams need to win this game. A draw in no good for either team. Expect a tight 1st 10 minutes.

Goal

Armenia 1 Wales 0. Messy defending from Wales who look nervous. Bad start.

I'd have had brennan Johnson and kieffer moore up front and Harry Wilson replacing ampadu

Why is Page wed to 3 centre halfs, its far too defensive.

Hook Mepham go to a back 4 and get Brennan closer to Keiffer !!!!!!!!

Another very frustrating game so far, Wales are poor imo.

Really makes you think of the wasted chances to put games to bed for Wales in these qualifiers before now. I still feel page is not the manager we need for Wales.

Goal Wales

Armenia 1 Wales 1.

Is this the moment we needed. I think its an OG out of absolutely nothing.

We're lucky to go in level at half time

This half time talk will determine how effective Page is.

We need three points not one

They are playing with a tempo we are not matching.Possession is nothing without penetration.Moore has played well but no-one trying to get on the second balls he 's providing.Not enough quality from the wingbacks either.

Looks to that the ball came off rodond head third angle view

2nd half underway

Really makes you think of the wasted chances to put games to bed for Wales in these qualifiers before now. I still feel page is not the manager we need for Wales.

Haven't actually been watching it, just caught bits and pieces but every time I've looked it seems we have a player trying to get to the by line and no one has run into the box to take a chance. We were a goal down at the time and needing a win. I agree with you, Page is hopeless at this level.

Armenia on top and should be 2-1 up. A shot came back of the crossbar but the rebound should have been put in but was blasted over the bar.

Its getting nervous.

Armenia on top and had another chance to take the lead.

Page needs to make changes and go for it.

10 minutes to go and we are not looking dangerous.

Only one team look like they're trying to win & it's not us.

All Armenia and we are lucky to remain level.

5 mins to go.

its a good job the Armenians don't have their shooting boots on.

1-1 would be a fair result. Both teams are poor.

Into injury time, 5 mins.

Ward makes a great save.

1-1 would be a fair result. Both teams are poor.

Armenia are going to be the most disappointed.

Wales shit , waste of time watching them

FT

Armenia 1 Wales 1.

Very disappointing performance from us. Armenia will be very disappointed with that score.

Think that result seals page fate

Another clueless performance from Wales, running around like headless chickens in the second half, no structure whatsoever. A vast improvement required for the Turkey game.