Tonight Cymru take on Armenia in a Group D clash in Cardiff with one thing on their minds and that’s three points. Having started the group well with a win and a draw Rob Page has to see this game as a must win. This fixture is followed by an away trip to Turkey on Monday evening.
With Swansea and Cardiff fans all embroiled in their club sides this game to an extent could have easily passed people by. It’s the third game for Wales in their group having beaten Latvia 1-0 and then admirably getting a draw in Split against Croatia 1-1. Wales are unbeaten on their home turf in the UEFA qualifying rounds since a 2-0 defeat by England in 2011. Wales have won nine of twelve games, surely giving Page's troops the edge tonight ?
The current Group D table is below.
Sixty five year old Ukrainian Oleksandr Petrakov is the current Armenian team boss but his side haven’t won a game in their last six. Wales have only won one, losing three and drawing two. Surprisingly Wales haven’t beaten Armenia but haven’t played them since 2001. Back twenty two years ago two draws in an ill fated World Cup qualification group for Wales ensued. A 2-2 draw in Armenia with two goals from John Hartson earned Cymru a point. Rob Page played in that game in Yerevan, and a strong Welsh side once again failed to deliver. The home game ended 0-0 in front of a paltry crowd at the Millennium Stadium with many changes made by manager Mark Hughes.
Tonight Page is expected to name Aaron Ramsey captain which is a timely reminder both Gareth Bale and Joe Allen have called it a day playing for their country. Page knows the importance of these games. "We want six points. That's our mentality going into it. You win your home games and if you get a point away you're on to a good thing. The mentality in the changing room at the minute is that we believe we can go on to get the two wins. We have got the disappointment of the World Cup out of our system. That point in Croatia felt like a win, to get that equaliser so late on. But it wasn't just about the point - I would have been pleased with the performance in Croatia if we hadn't got anything out of the game. Friday's game, we can't worry about the opposition too much. We have to respect them but it's about us. If we can give a performance we're capable of, we can be a match for anybody."
The best news for David Brooks and Wales followers is his inclusion in the squad. The AFC Bournemouth midfielder is fit again after a brave fight against Stage Two Hodgkin lymphoma
"Any young person, when you hear the word cancer you don't really believe or understand what it actually means," says Brooks. When I heard it, I was no different, you think the worst until the specialists tell you otherwise. The moment I found out was incredibly tough but the prognosis was a positive one and, when I found that out, there was always an upside to look at and aim for. There were dark times but I had people around me to help me through that and come out on the other side."
Page is also pleased to have Brooks back and available. "He's got the quality to be in our plans moving forward. I've touched base with him by text and he can't wait to get on camp and meet up back with the players." Page has also said Nottingham Forest full-back Neco Williams will be available for the June qualifiers, although he may have to wear a protective mask. He's not played minutes because of the significance of the injury but he will be fit for camp. It's great to have him available. You can't take away every risk - I think he's got a protection to wear for that reason. He's so many weeks down the line so I'd say the opportunity of a refracture is very unlikely”
Despite missing the mast three games for Nice Aaron Ramsey is fit. On that Page said. "The little niggle, and that's all it is, has probably come at a good time for him. He's at an age now where he knows his body and how to manage it. He's got one eye on these two games and it is not an issue." Aaron Ramsey is one hundred percent certain he will play. "We got off to a fantastic start after a difficult World Cup,” said Ramsey. "That point away to Croatia sets us up quite nicely. These next two games are so, so important to us. It’s still very early days, and in football things can change quickly. We have to stay mentally right. It’s all on us and what we want to do. We will have our fans behind us and a game plan for what we want to do. I think that’s important that we’re all on the same page. The whole team has a responsibility to get the most out of each other, it’s a group effort. I feel good, I feel physically ready. We’ve put ourselves in a position now to qualify for major tournaments. These games are never easy, these teams are streetwise and know how to defend. We have to be patient and stick to the game plan.”
S4C have announced that all Wales men’s internationals will be screened LIVE auntie 2028 giving followers of the national team every chance to watch all of their games for the next five years.