06/02/2013 Match of the Day Wales

After a disastrous start to the campaign, Gareth Bale inspired

Wales to a memorable win over Scotland in Cardiff, Chris

Coleman's first win as manager. What a goal! But then there was

more woe for Wales, beaten by Croatia, and hopes of making it to

Brazil 2014 virtually over. Tonight Bale in stunning form for Tottenham

Hotspur is back in the red shirt of Wales alongside Craig Bellamy.

Aaron Ramsey was a late withdrawal due to a calf injury, but a return

to Swansea for Liverpool's Joe Good evening. Just one win in six

for Chris Coleman, but a strong squad to pick from tonight. That is

ahead of two very important World Cup qualifiers in Scotland and

Croatia. Robbie Savage is here, and we will have his expert views on

Wales later. We want your thoughts as well. We are on Twitter tonight.

First, the Liberty Stadium, Wales versus Austria. Let's join Kevin

Aaron Ramsey with a calf problem. Sam Ricketts and Jack Collison

return, as Craig Bellamy and Gareth Bale start for the first time since

the victory over Norway in Gary Speed's first game. Bostridge

include two Premier League players -- Austria include. Andreas Weimann

makes a first start at the right of midfield. Marc Janko will lead the

international of 2013. Chris international of 2013. Chris

Coleman says that this is the strongest squad he has had

available, despite the late absence his home stadium. First touch on

his return for Boaz Myhill, who missed the last two qualifiers with

in advance of the other two. It looks like Joe Allen is sitting

Austria when the first corner of the game. -- winner of the first

corner. This will be a test for It was nearly an own goal, coming

off somebody's foot in the penalty area. Adam Matthews in the right

man to watch. Steaming in Nantes -- on Gareth Bale, and they know what

he is all about. Marcel Koller, the Austrian coach, very certain that

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 50 seconds

Bale was the big danger to the side thought he was offside. A fantastic

run. The first time the ball has come into Bellamy, he has done well,

but this time he looks to go over the top, not short. Just off five,

I would suggest. -- just offside. The linesman has not flagged at all.

Heery is again, the midfielder from stronger drive by a Ivanschitz.

has an open him up to have a shot knocks it, and he goes. This is

Gareth Bale, flying, around the back. Bellamy waits for the cross,

but it was poor. I think he has he does the job. Love Lee one-touch

football by the Wales lads. Great flick by Bale -- lovely one-touch

from injury as well. If he one of those you have to find a place for

a corner, but they cannot stop the Bellamy. Bellamy is away. Bellamy

into the penalty area. Just past the post. Well, you couldn't ask

for anything more. He has done the right thing. Great closing down to

start with. A great first time ball by Vaughan. Bellamy opens his legs,

will one-touch shot across the goal. Bale scores for Wales! Who else?

Every goal in 2012, and he has opened the new year in style as

well. Gareth Bale breaks the deadlock. He is onside, just. This

is all about the first touch. Great first touch. On to his left foot,

another touch away, and a great strike. First of all, a great ball

by Joe Allen, then a great touch by Gareth Bale, across the defender,

and he shot away from the keeper. This is good as you get. Week-in,

week-out, he is doing it. You come the ball again. He tried to

threaded through for lately, but it was cut out. -- Joe Ledley. He gets

the ball and he just teases the full-back. That is Marcel Koller,

the Austrian manager. They are in a tough group, led by Germany. They

are 4th in accrued at the moment behind Sweden, Ireland -- in that

group. Next month they play the Faroe Islands and the Republic of

Ireland. They have four points from three games, Germany leading the

group with 10. You just feel everyone else is playing for second.

This is where they can be a danger, In fact, he wants a corner, and you

get it -- a header past. Pogatetz has got the header, and then Davies,

does he go for the one at the front or back? He does just enough.

against them in these sort of areas. They always seem to have an extra

is the offside flag up. It denied Pogatetz. A little bit of good

fortune for Wales there. Just inches offside. A good decision,

and I did say in the build-up to that but Adam Matthews had two men

he was marking, both over 6 ft 3. Collison is in the war, 6 ft-plus,

and they have to be doing something about that. That was a warning sign,

wasn't it? The danger was there. This could be dangerous as Marc

Janko goes through. He's round the back, but denied by a brilliant

tackle from Ashley Williams. Great recovery from Ashley Williams, but

the ball bounces in the box, and you wonder where Boaz Myhill was.

The danger is still not clear. Myhill was right behind the shop. -

That is a terrific strike. Someone has to close this ball down. What a

terrific save from Boaz Myhill. A fantastic save. A great strike.

They lived dangerously on occasions. The main thing is keeping a close

to the ball. A midfielder, or centre-back not coming out. Being

not used to that position. But look quite comfortable. Sam Ricketts.

Marko Arnautovic, proving a problem. Ashley Williams unhappy at that

decision against them. He is a big unit, isn't he? He towers above

Ashley Williams. He has 13 goals for his country. Marko Arnautovic.

His thirty-second Cup. And a chance at goal. It is a good strike, and

again Boaz Myhill called into action. And lurking at that far

post. The line-up for these not quite right. Joe Allen looks for

the run-up. Then Bellamy. It means to be a high ball to get over him.

He crawls to stop the ball. Once again, Arnautovic. He is one to

watch in the second half. And with the corner, have clear. -- half

cleared. And it hits the post. a great strike by Alaba. On his

height. -- Sam Vokes will give Wales more height. Under stadium

gets more excited as Gareth Bale saunters forward. He can do what he

wants to and almost came through Sam Vokes. A little bit of a

deflection and Sam Vokes nearly sneaks in. Slide the ball through,

backtracking again. Marc Janko again. The ball finds Joe Ledley.

Joe Ledley of Celtic. He went himself. Some options there, does

he should on wait for Ben Davies? He is waiting for Ben Davies, but

cannot get there. He has the option to pass, and not the best shot.

Wales look for Chris Coleman's second win. A little bit different,

with Sam Vokes up front. With Bellamy, hard to get the on Craig

Bellamy, him being so quick. -- beyond a Craig Bellamy. And giving

the ball away to Marc Janko, needs no second opportunity. Maybe the

ball should have just gone up over the top. Squeeze up. Marc Janko

will be disappointed with that effort. Relatively quiet in this

game. He has 13 goals for his country, scored twice in their 4-

Siro win over Kazakhstan. -- 4-0. The touch takes it towards David

Alaba. But anticipated really well. Gareth Bale, shoots in the middle.

Excellent goal! Sam Vokes makes an impact, set up by Gareth Bale.

Wales lead by two goals to 0. is a great interception by Ben

Davies. Sam Vokes is of side, Gareth Bale stays on side, send the

10th, then a great tackler active header by Sam Vokes. -- sends it in.

I tell you what, that is a great header. I will Austria recover from

disappointed. Disappointment he has not scored another goal. Great

build up, nice and composed. It comes out to Gareth Bale, he

strikes it, he could not do it any Wales side, as David Alaba plays.

Great defending. Sam Ricketts once again. Once he has lost it, he gets

back and recovers, sees the danger area and get in there. It is the

position that is up for grabs, not That is it for Gareth Bale. One

hour gone and Wales's hottest property walks off having scored

the goal and having set up the second. Gareth Bale getting a

standing ovation. He has thrilled us again. A standing ovation and a

sigh of relief. A sigh of relief Jean tries to find Joe Ledley. --

friendly, Wales lead 2-0. At a ground where they have only won

once. The sixth game at the Liberty Stadium. The last win was in

October 2011 against Switzerland. Aaron Ramsey scored a penalty and

the other scorer was, of course, Gareth Bale. Austria have had

plenty of the ball. It is a free header. And it is buried that time

by Marc Janko. Austria are back in Trying, but just wide. Joe Allen

with a loose ball. This is better. Holding possession, eating up the

Davies has slipped. Church got back. At the ball is well wide. Austria

are going to be disappointed with that, a great opportunity. Seconds

to go for Chris Coleman's second victory of his reign. Still the

chance, but Boaz Myhill clutches it. He has looked solid as well. He has

looked very lively. But Chris Gunter has to be more open, I

realise where his man is. referee looks at his watch. Fans

encouraging him to Bloor. That is the final whistle. Wales start 2013

with a victory and Chris Coleman takes his team to Hampden in am

happy mood. Thanks to that man mainly, Gareth Bale, who scored one,

setting up Sam Vokes's second. Austria replying late from Mark Ko

Chang goal, but it was Gareth Bale and Wales's night. -- Austria

weight from Marc Janko's goal. It has finished Wales 2, Austria 1.

Gareth Bale was identified as the danger man, but he was simply

unstoppable tonight. Pace, skill and finishing to match from one of

Another magnificent performance from Gareth Bale. We hear from the

man himself up the Chris Coleman. How could a win? Always good to win

for your country. For me as a manager, I am delighted. I was

asked before the game about winning. Winning his winning at the end of

the day. The second half, we displayed different qualities.

Defensively, we worked our socks off. I think we had a much better

second half than first half. Do you and a half quiet nights? I am not

too sure. The best thing was a good performance. That was a positive

and gives more confidence going into the next match. Into double

figures on goals for Wales. It is great to get goals. The most

important thing is the team. We worked hard and performed well and

got the victory. And the first up, we won it and you risk the full

back and got to the second half, then the next time we got it, the

opposition defence changes. Then they are dropping off deeper and it

opens up. And it is great for them to come back. It was nice to have

bowled players tonight. Under great goal, a great cross for Sam Vokes,

taking a fantastic header from the big fella up.

Going to harm done in a confident mood? We are confident team, not

really scared and we will hopefully try to win. Do you think you scored

at the time you go on the pitch? do not know, the most important

thing is giving 100%. A brilliant In the first of they looked poor,

Matthews and rickets, Austria could have scored a few goals, and that

was worrying in the first half, but when you have Bale and Bellamy on

the pitch, they can win games. air is this guy in world rankings -

- where is this guy? He has to be in the best five plays in the world,

Ness, Ronaldo, he's one of the best fight. The Austrian back for give

him time to play. Most people touch it there, but a touch it across the

What a cool finish. He is good in the air. I will slow this down in a

minute, Jason. It is a lollipop, it is called, a step over. Most people

do it when the ball is stationary. He moves the ball in one motion,

then does the step over. That is incredible. For kids who have

recorded it and watch in the morning, watch that, it's fantastic.

And the cross. The pace he puts on the cross. All Sam Vokes has to do

is guided in the corner. Great header, but Gareth Bale has to be

one of the best five plays in the world. Who is ahead of him? Lionel

Messi, Ronaldo, fell cow, but on current form he's unstoppable.

There was some shaky moments on the back for -- in the back four, they

had a problem picking them up. There were several free kicks in

the first half that floated to the back stick. Matthews and Ricketts

did not communicate well. Boaz Myhill, a good save. I think he

thought it was going wide here, but in at the post. Floating wide.

Austria had a lot of chances. 16 shots, seven on target, and the

goal, Ashley Williams switched off. A lack of communication. A lot of

positives tonight. Focusing on the negatives, the defensive worries,

when they come again Scotland and Croatia and Serbia and Belgium,

they will get punished. I think they missed James Collins, a

dominant force in the air. Matthews is doing well for his club, but

with Rickets and Matthews, and there was the disallowed goal, and

another one up where Myhill made a good save. Time together is needed,

and Chris Coleman Bailey had been a few days, so he needs to work on

the back four. They won tonight, and that's great, but Austria

created chances. For Craig Bellamy has been terrific for Cardiff this

season. Another wonderful performance. The pace he has here,

in the centre-forward position. I was surprised to see him there, but

his pace, his power, he drags it across the goal, but he was a

threat all night. He is a leader. He has not the captain's armband,

but he is a leader. He said that playing for Wales is like a drug

and he wants to be part of the set- up. You can see it with Aaron

Ramsey, Bale, Joe Allen, he has a few more years, and he loves his

country and playing for Wales and it showed tonight. Wales's World

Cup opponents were in action The Wales U21 team warmed up with a

friendly against Iceland at crop he will face England as part

of the next European campaign. There were seven uncapped players

in their Robbie Williams's squad, with three debutants in a fresh

looking starting 11 -- in it Geraint Williams squad. Keep your

eye on this man, Jonathan Williams, the Crystal Palace midfielder,

widely tipped to become a permanent fixture in the full team before too

long. Just 25 second shot -- gone with a shot that skimmed the bar.

Playing against a strong wind, another Wales chance. Billy Boat

Inn, there is a name, but Cassidy not able to give the boss his first

goal since he replaced Brian Flynn last year. Some worrying moments in

the second half. A mix-up between Freeman and Joe Walsh handing

Iceland a chance to go ahead. Liverpool keeper Danny Ward was in

the right place to block the shot before Walsh headed away. Another

sign that a Welsh back five with just 14 caps between them are not

quite on the same wavelength yet. But, at the other end, maybe a

future star was born. Bristol City's 18-year-old striker Wes

Burns with a lovely finish just 80 minutes after coming off the bench

for his debut. -- 18. Two minutes later and Wales were 2-0 up. Chris

Dawson of Leeds United in the build up, and Williams showing why he

stands a real chance of making the senior side for next month's World

Cup qualifiers. And even more encouragement ahead of the first

qualifier against Moldova. A bit more rude one as Southampton's Law

League forced a save, and Robert Ogleby followed up for his 5th and

The result is pleasing, but it is more the performance. We met on

Sunday, and they're a great bunch of lads. We have only had three

training sessions, so we wanted to make sure we got the ideas and the

philosophy across, tried to play football, try to be attacking. The

good thing was the performance that we got. A great win for Geraint

Williams, and a Welsh double. Fantastic to see Jonathan Williams

back as well. He broke his leg last year so good to see him back.

Robbie, there are still 18 points up for grabs in the World Cup

qualifying group. Some tough fixtures ahead. Have you given up

hope, or are you positive tonight? I think away to Scotland will be

difficult. Gordon Strachan's first competitive game and the crowd will

be loud. Macedonia, they eat 13-0 against Denmark tonight, and Wales

will rely too heavily on Gareth Bale -- they won 3-0. I think we

saw in the second half when they went off, Bellamy and Bale, Wales

were ordinary. Austria couldn't get near him, and we've seen it in the

Premier League, topsides like Manchester United and Manchester

City and Arsenal, they have shackled Bale somehow and other

teams will do that. You might see foreign teams being cynical. They

know how to block and poor black people. They do it very cleverly.

Bale -- Paul people back. Bale has to watch. Chris Coleman is doing

well. The more time he spends with them, the better they will get. It

was a good time and performance from Wales. When you think about

how successful Cardiff City are in the Championship at the moment, and

also Swansea City in the Premier League, a lot of pressure on Chris.

What has been levied at Wales before his they have not had many

Premiership players, but Cardiff, I think they will get in the Premier

League, Swansea are there, they have Joe Ledley, Matthews, so he

will have a good squad to pick from. Addict to the botched -- and that

to one of the best plays in the world, so there is no reason they

should not put a run together. Croatia and Scotland at next, six.?

No worries. Football Focus on Saturday then. Have a great day.

Good to see you, Robbie. That's it. Another fantastic performance from