UEFA Nations League: Wales v Montenegro
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Monday 14th October Kick-off: 19:45 BST
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Sounds. Live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app
Wales striker Kieffer Moore believes Friday’s first half against Iceland showed everything they are aiming to achieve under new manager Craig Bellamy.
Goals from Brennan Johnson and Harry Wilson capped off a dominant start for Wales in the Nations League match in Reykjavik.
The second half was a stark contrast, with Wales collapsing and allowing the hosts to come back and make it 2-2, but they were probably lucky that Iceland hit the post in the dying minutes and escaped with a draw.
“The first half showed what we were aiming for and what we were working on. Everything went well and that was our identity. That was our identity,” said Moore, who led the way in Reykjavik. It was the way he played,” he said.
“In the second half, we just lost a little bit. Iceland are not a strong team by any means. They are a good team and if you give a team like that a foothold in the game, they can gain an advantage. That’s clearly what they did.”
“But one point away from home is still a good result and we remain unbeaten.”
Despite missing out on what would have been a lead at the top of Group B4, Wales remain unbeaten under Bellamy following an opening draw with Turkey and a 2-1 win in Montenegro in September.
The comeback game against Montenegro takes place at the Cardiff City Stadium on Monday and Moore will be keen for Wales to put into practice the lessons they have learned.
“It’s good exposure and it’s a good learning curve for us,” said the 32-year-old Sheffield United forward.
“We’re all new to this system, but to be treated like that when it’s man-on-man in the second half is something we have to learn from.
“We struggled to understand where the free player was, but we couldn’t actually find him. We can look back at the footage and see where we went wrong and improve.”
“The whole plan is we’re grateful to have gotten the points. There are no easy wins away from home so we’re all going to stay positive and try to get the points.”
Wales will be without Tottenham Hotspur forward Johnson and Rennes midfielder Jordan James for the match against Montenegro due to suspension, after securing their second spot against Iceland.
Johnson, who has scored seven goals in seven games for club and country, was sent off at half-time after receiving a knock during the first half and was replaced by Ipswich Town’s Wes Barnes.
“We’re not going to have any players on Monday, but it’s a team game and we’ve got some really good players coming in. They’re definitely going to get their chances when they get them,” Moore added.
“We’ve scored four goals away and that’s what we’re aiming for. We’re a high-pressing, high-attacking team and it’s exciting when you get chances with that style of play. That’s what excites people. But sometimes it can have a negative effect on you.
“(First place) is still in our hands. We’re still undefeated and I’m looking forward to Monday.”
