YBIG12
Chris Coleman says Wales have to be on the front foot against Georgia in Tbilisi.
Wales are currently in second place in Group D with two games remaining, and play Georgia away before hosting the Republic of Ireland in their final World Cup qualifier.
Coleman’s side are one point clear of Ireland, and know a draw against the boys in green could be enough to secure a play-off – depending on other results – if they come away from Tbilisi with three points.
Georgia are without a win thus far in the qualifying campaign, but held Ireland to a draw on home soil and came away from Cardiff with a hard-earned point.
“Georgia have got imagination, create chances and play risk football,” Coleman said.
“That’s very difficult to play against, as we saw in Cardiff and when the Republic played them.
“They’re not afraid of anybody and will take it to anybody, so if we have any thoughts of hanging on then we’ll lose the game.”
“We’re going there to score goals and we have to go on the front foot.
“There will be times when we have to defend in numbers because that’s international football, but when the opportunity presents itself we have to go for it.”
“Of all the games in this campaign, the one we could have lost and the one we looked at in needing three points, was at home to Georgia,” the former Fulham boss continued.
“You look at all the draws in the Republic, Austria and Serbia as good points.
“But Georgia was the one game I felt where maybe we weren’t on that knife-edge where we were all on it. We didn’t have that attitude maybe, myself included.”
Ireland host Moldova tonight at the Aviva, but one eye will be on proceedings in Tbilisi, where Georgia could do Martin O’Neill’s men a huge favour ahead of Monday’s showdown in Cardiff.
