WALES kept their 2022 World Cup qualification hopes alive as Kieffer Moore’s first half goal saw them to a 1-0 victory of Estonia in Tallinn on Monday night (Oct 11).
Moore’s early goal was just what they needed and they were able to hold on for the win despite late pressure from the Estonians.
The only sour point on the night was Moore’s yellow card which will mean that the Cardiff City striker will miss Wales’ crucial home qualifier against Belarus in November.
The Estonians went into the game on the back of a win against Belarus and the game was just 35 seconds old when they created the first chance.
Taijo Teniste unleased a snap shot from the edge of the box which the Leicester City keeper Danny Ward did well to save.
Wales’ quick passing and movement was causing problems for the home side as they won a series of early free kicks, one of which saw Harry Wilson shoot just over.
In the tenth minute Connor Roberts cut inside but his curling effort was well saved by the Estonian keeper who punched the ball out for a corner.
From the resulting set piece an initial header was blocked and after it wasn’t cleared the ball fell to Moore who stabbed the ball in.
It was just the start that Wales wanted and they continued to look for more goals with Moore going close again.
There was a warning sign in the 21st minute as a loose pass from Wilson was collected by Teniste who didn’t quite get enough on his chipped effort and Joe Rodon was able to clear the ball off the line.
Ethan Ampadu looked to show what he could bring to the table as he went on a surging run to the edge of the box but he sent his shot over.
With half time approaching Wales had another free kick in a good position but this time Wilson sent his effort straight into the arms of the Estonian keeper.
Wales held a 1-0 lead when the half time whistle went but they knew they would need to find a second goal in order to make sure of the points.
Five minutes into the second half the home side had a free kick which was sent into the middle of the box but Erik Sorga’s header went just over the bar.
Mattias Kait then saw an effort saved by Ward as the Estonians continued to search for an equaliser.
Just after the hour mark, Moore was shown a yellow card, presumably for something said after being penalised when challenging for the ball, and Wales will hope that his absence will not prove costly.
With fourteen minutes to go Estonia broke from a Welsh free kick and the ball was played to Sinyavskiy whose curling effort was pushed wide by Ward.
At the other end sub Mark Harris shot on the turn but his effort was again straight at the Estonian keeper.
Four minutes of injury time were added on as Wales looked to hold on for the win.
Brennan Johnson shot over in the third minute of added time but as an Estonian attack went out of play the referee blew for full time.
It was a case of job done for Wales as they kept their World Cup qualification hopes alive.
The other game in group E saw the Czech Republic beat Belarus which means they and Wales now move on to 11 points.
Crucially for Wales they have one game in hand, against Belarus in Cardiff. The Czech’s last game of the group stage sees them host Estonia.
