Austria will resume their efforts to qualify for the 2022 World Cup on Thursday evening with their semi-final playoff tie in Cardiff.Whoever prevails will set up a showdown with either Scotland or Ukraine, but that final will be played at a later date due to Russia's military invasion of the latter.Belgium, the best that Wales could realistically hope for was a spot in the World Cup playoffs, and Robert Page deserves huge credit for getting his team over the line.
Bale says he and his team-mates are not looking any further than this week's fixture in Cardiff, although they would face a few months wait before the play-off semi-final.
The winner of the Wales vs Austria semi-final will face the winner of Scotland vs Ukraine, a game that has been postponed due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. That fixture will now be played in June, with the play-off final to follow in the same month.
Their efforts in the UEFA Nations League had already guaranteed a playoff spot, but edging out Czech Republic for second spot ensured that they secured home advantage for Thursday's semi-final.
The Dragons posted a record of two wins and two draws on familiar territory in Group E and although one of those stalemates came at home to Estonia, the fact that they avoided defeat to Belgium and Czech Republic highlights the potential importance of playing their upcoming fixture in Cardiff.
Last time out, Wales posted a 1-1 draw with the former, extending their unbeaten record to seven matches and making it just two defeats in 12 outings, both of which came at Euro 2020.
The fitness doubts over talisman Gareth Bale is an obvious talking point, the 32-year-old playing just 77 minutes of competitive football since November, but this united group will back themselves to set up a final with Scotland or Ukraine regardless of the performance of the Real Madrid forward.
