World Cup qualifier: Liechtenstein v Wales
Venue: Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz Date: Saturday, 15 November Kick-off: 17:00 GMT
Protection: Stay on BBC iPlayer, BBC Two, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and Sports activities Additional, BBC Sport web site and app, plus reside textual content commentary.
Commercial
Autumn Nations Sequence: Wales v Japan
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 15 November Kick-off: 17:40 GMT
Protection: Commentary on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and reside textual content on BBC Sport on-line.
For followers of Welsh sport, there’s a big quantity using on two fixtures immediately.
Wales’ soccer aspect play their penultimate World Cup qualifier towards Liechtenstein in Vaduz.
Kicking off simply 40 minutes later, Steve Tandy’s rugby union aspect host Japan on extra acquainted territory on the Principality Stadium.
It is going to be the primary time the pair have performed on the identical day since 13 October 2019, some six years, one month and three days in the past.
Commercial
On that event, Warren Gatland’s males secured a snug 35-13 victory towards Uruguay on the 2019 World Cup in Japan earlier than Gareth Bale’s equaliser earned Ryan Giggs’ aspect a 1-1 draw with Croatia in a Euro 2020 qualifier at Cardiff Metropolis Stadium.
And it’s truthful to say there’s a big quantity at stake for each groups this time round too.
Neighbourly love
The 2 groups can be enjoying round 850 miles other than each other, though they’ve spent the build-up to their respective fixtures in the identical environment.
Each the soccer and rugby union sides practice on the Vale Resort in Hensol, round a 20 minute drive away from the centre of Cardiff.
Commercial
Naturally, there may be common crossover on the coaching website when each groups are housed within the plush amenities on the identical time.
Talking at a pre-match press convention, rugby captain and hooker Dewi Lake wished the soccer aspect good luck for his or her contest in Liechtenstein.
Cardiff flanker Alex Mann spoke of his shut relationship with Cardiff Metropolis winger Isaak Davies and his pleasure at seeing his childhood buddy incomes one other senior call-up by Craig Bellamy.
“He is been one among my greatest mates since I used to be younger, so we have grown up in class collectively,” Mann stated of Davies.
“It provides me goosebumps enthusiastic about it. We had been coming by means of and we all the time stated to one another at school that we wished to play for Wales, with him in soccer and me in rugby.
Commercial
“For him to get a call-up on Sunday, he got here to observe the sport as effectively, it is a huge honour for him – fingers crossed he will get a possibility.
“From us being in Aberdare enthusiastic about this being our desires, it is fairly surreal that we each get the prospect on the identical time.
“I am simply actually pleased with him to be trustworthy. We’re related folks, we’ll maintain our heads down, maintain working laborious and hopefully get alternatives.”
Hooker Dewi Lake (L) and midfielder Ethan Ampadu are set to captain their respective Wales sides this weekend [Getty Images]
Excessive stakes
A Wales win towards Japan will virtually definitely assure Tandy’s males a prime 12 rating forward of the World Cup draw on 3 December.
Commercial
Defeat would see Japan rise above Wales within the rankings – leaving Tandy’s aspect with the daunting job of needing a victory over both New Zealand or South Africa later this month to return to the highest 12.
So why is a prime 12 rating necessary?
The highest six sides on the planet rankings can be positioned in band one for the draw and would subsequently keep away from enjoying one another within the pool stage.
Groups ranked seventh to twelfth would play a most of one of many prime six sides, so all of it means if Wales drop additional down the rankings than they at present are, they’ll have an excellent tougher draw.
As for the spherical ball, prime spot in Group J seems set to be past Wales’ attain, though there’s a big incentive to complete second – possible behind favourites Belgium.
Commercial
Ending as runners-up would guarantee Bellamy’s aspect play at residence within the World Cup play-off semi-finals subsequent March, though ending in third would see them journey away for the one-off final 4 fixture.
So how can they obtain second spot?
Two wins over the approaching days – towards Liechtenstein after which North Macedonia – will guarantee Bellamy’s aspect end second.
However 4 factors may also be sufficient within the following two eventualities:
If Wales draw with Liechtenstein and beat North Macedonia
If Wales beat Liechtenstein by six or extra objectives and draw with North Macedonia.