Chris Colemam: Wales can threaten at Hampden

WALES manager Chris Coleman is excited at the prospect of facing Scotland at Hampden next month when the World Cup qualifying matches resume, and has warned Gordon Strachan that his team will be travelling north with plenty of match-winners in their ranks.

Scotland, bottom of Group A with just two points, host Wales, who are just a point better off, at Hampden on Friday 22 March. Many supporters have 
already written off both countries’ chances of reaching Brazil in 2014 but Coleman believes that Wales’ 2-1 win over Austria on Wednesday night shows they have the ability to put themselves right back in contention.

Another sublime performance from Gareth Bale helped the Dragons on their way to just the second victory of Coleman’s tenure; the Tottenham Hotspur winger grabbed the opening goal before delivering a pin-point cross for Sam Vokes to head in Wales’ second.

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Austria captain Marc Janko pulled a goal back for the visitors, but the home side held on for a much-needed win.

Wales, who also face Croatia in next month’s double header, sit seven points adrift of pacesetters Belgium and Croatia in Group A, having only claimed one victory from four games in the form of a 2-1 win over Scotland in October.

But the win over Austria this midweek showed hints of a fluidity in their passing game that has rarely been seen since Coleman took charge. The former Fulham manager’s cause was certainly helped by being able to start Bale and Craig Bellamy together for the first time in his reign.

Aaron Ramsey was a late 
injury withdrawal but Joe Allen and Jack Collison were among the key players available for Wednesday’s friendly, and Coleman believes if those players 
remain fit, Wales are not out of the race for Brazil.

“We are still missing guys like Neil Taylor, Wayne Hennessey, James Collins and Andrew Crofts, who were a big part of our success before I arrived,” 
explained Coleman.

“But if you have players like Gareth Bale, Craig Bellamy and Aaron Ramsey around it helps you out, you have a real threat and is boosts you.

“No matter how hard you work or how much passion you have playing for your country, you need match-winners. We have them and next month they all have to be there.

“We have now won two of our last three games and it was a shame this game was not for points. We have two tough games next month, we have 
already faced Scotland and Croatia in this group so we know what to expect.”

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Looking ahead to the game in Glasgow in six weeks, Coleman added: “We are going to Hampden Park, which is never easy but we are looking forward to it. It will be a great atmosphere and they have Gordon Strachan as their new manager so it is going to be exciting.

“We are heading in the right direction and it is not over, but we have got to get points next month. But they are two great games for us.”

Coleman piled praise on Bale for his latest virtuoso display, but also acclaimed the performance of midfielder Allen.

The Liverpool midfielder has come in for stick after a difficult period of below-par performances, and has had to settle for a place on the Anfield club’s bench in recent weeks.

But his sumptuous pass to put Bale in for the opener showed he has the ability to hurt defences, as well as his customary excellence in keeping possession.

He said: “Joe has not been playing regularly for Liverpool so he is not at his best physically, but he kept going for 90 minutes.

“We know he has the ability, he is a sweet passer of the ball and you saw that with his pass for the goal.

“People look at Joe and they may think he is lethargic, but he plays the game at his own pace and there is no doubt he can hit those sort of passes.”