| Venue: Cardiff Metropolis Stadium Date: Tuesday, 21 November Kick-off: 19:45 GMT |
| Protection: Stay on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Sounds, BBC Sport web site and app, plus stay textual content. Highlights on Match of the Day Wales, BBC One Wales from 22: 40 GMT and in a while demand |
Captain Ben Davies has advised followers not to surrender hope as Wales search a remaining twist within the race to the European Championship finals in 2024.
Wales must beat already-qualified Turkey in Cardiff on Tuesday and hope Croatia drop factors at residence to Armenia.
In any other case Wales should undergo spring play-offs, after Saturday’s 1-1 attract Armenia noticed automated qualification slip from their arms.
“We’re not panicking as a gaggle. We nonetheless have an opportunity,” Davies mentioned.
Davies, 30, will earn his 84th Wales cap as he seeks to steer his nation to a 3rd successive European Championships with out having to undergo the play-offs in March, that are at the least assured as a fall again.
In an unprecedented period of success for Welsh soccer since qualifying for Euro 2016, Tottenham Hotspur defender Davies was additionally a part of the squad which certified for the World Cup in Qatar – the primary time the nationwide group had been on that stage since 1958.
Main the facet within the absence of injured midfielder Aaron Ramsey, Davies mentioned: “We’re annoyed, we would wish to be in a unique place, however we’re the place we’re.
“We will not have an effect on that now and it is about giving all we have in a single final recreation and hope issues go our approach.
“Enjoying in main tournaments to your nation is the top and that dream remains to be there.
“Wales is not the largest nation, now we have in all probability punched above our weight for a very long time, and once you do expectations are in entrance of you, folks anticipate extra out of you.
“However we’re nonetheless in with a shout of qualification, it is not doom and gloom simply but. If we do not undergo now we nonetheless have an opportunity of the play-offs due to previous success. We’re not panicking as a gaggle, we nonetheless have an opportunity.
“To qualify for 3 of the final 4 tournaments and nonetheless have the chance of qualifying for a fourth, we’re not one million miles away.
“As a gaggle that is one thing we must be happy with. It wasn’t one thing we did as a one-off, we maintained that success and wish to maintain it going.”
Davies missed his nation’s 2-0 defeat in opposition to Turkey in June, which adopted a 4-2 residence reverse to Armenia a number of days earlier than.
These losses put Wales off the tempo in Group D, however a 2-0 win in Latvia and an eye catching 2-1 victory over Croatia at Cardiff Metropolis Stadium final month reignited their automated hopes.
However after the slip-up in Armenia, Croatia took benefit to maneuver into second place within the group behind Turkey with a snug 2-0 win in Latvia on Saturday evening.
Croatia now have the benefit within the quest for the second automated qualification place alongside Turkey, who want solely some extent in Cardiff to complete as Group D winners.
Davies mentioned: “Ideally we do not wish to be happening that route (of play-offs), however after all we’re conscious if issues do not go our approach then that chance is there.
“We have a large recreation and soccer throws out some unusual issues typically and hopefully it will possibly go our approach.
“We have put in some superb performances in Cardiff over time, and we have had some particular nights there. We have now to hope we are able to do once more.
“We are able to solely management what ‘s in our management. On the evening we’ll should hope that some issues go our approach however we won’t surrender hope.
“Our job is fairly easy, now we have to win our recreation, that is our focus. No matter occurs elsewhere will occur, however it’s right down to us at first.”