A day 64 years in the making has finally arrived as Wales get their World Cup campaign underway with an important tussle with USA in Al Rayyan.
Manager Rob Page and his players are all fired up for the Dragons’ opening group fixture against USA on Tuesday and while they always say the first fixture is important for every side, it is more so for Wales.
In Group B, Page’s side are up against rivals England, USA and Iran. Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions are likely to be the toughest opponents they will face but they do not meet until matchday three, and they cannot afford to have their qualification hopes relying on a positive result in that historic fixture.
Iran are viewed as the less challenging opponents in the group and Wales should have more than enough to gain a victory there, but the US are likely to be their biggest threat to progressing to the knockout stages.
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Wales are already at a slight disadvantage with experienced midfielder and Euro 2016 Team of the Tournament star Joe Allen being ruled out as he remains sidelined following a hamstring injury he sustained with Swansea City in September - with many seeing his inclusion as a huge gamble.
Right now it looks just like that as he is going to be absent for the Dragons’ most crucial Group B fixture against a US side which fights with as much hunger as they do. The key to winning this game for Wales is ironically going to be in midfield. They need to be the dominant force in the game and dictate play, a role which Allen has thrived in for them in the past.
Without him, Page needs to select a deputy who can have a similar impact on the midfield to the stalwart and there are a couple of names in the frame to play alongside Aaron Ramsey in the middle of the park.
In recent internationals, Wales have utilised a variety of systems stemming from the use of three centre-backs. Last time out against Poland in the Uefa Nations League, Page opted for a 3-4-3 and his midfield pairing was youngster Dylan Levitt and Joe Morrell.
Both are in contention to fill the void left by Allen, but given the severity of this match on the outcome of Group B the Welsh coach could turn to more experience in such a key area. Morrell featured heavily for Wales in their Euro 2020 campaign and he does also have some key experience to bring to the table, but he tends to break up play rather than set the tone. Wales need someone who can seamlessly take up Allen’s role in the midfield.
Step forward Jonny Williams. That’s right, the man whose club career has been blighted by injuries and yet found comfort when it came to playing for Wales. And despite having featured on the international scene for some time, he’s still only 29.
The midfield technician, despite his injury-laden career, has always shown his talent. And while his natural position has always been as an attacking midfielder, he possesses the qualities that Page will need to dictate the tempo of the match against the US. Williams’ club life may be in League Two with Swindon Town, but he has been showing his class in the fourth tier with seven goal involvements in 16 appearances.
His capabilities in possession, along with his contributions at Euro 2016, make him the perfect understudy for Allen. Page needs to ensure Wales win the midfield battle as that is the key to them getting off to the perfect start in Qatar and sets them up nicely for their meeting with Iran on Friday.
It would be smart of Page to deploy Williams and Morrell together behind Ramsey to give the Dragons the best chance against their US counterparts. Let’s not forget they possess Leeds United star Tyler Adams, who is relentless in chasing the ball when his side are out of possession. By starting Williams, you have a player who can hold onto the ball and create chances and in Morrell you have a player who can deal with players like Adams to help them control the game.
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