Wales boss Robert Page accepts neutrals will back Ukraine if teams meet in final

Wales are one win from “living the dream” at the World Cup and manager Robert Page says they would have to “strip the emotions away” were they to meet war-torn Ukraine for a place in Qatar.

Page’s side booked their place in the World Cup play-off final by beating Austria 2-1 on Thursday and will now meet Scotland or Ukraine.

That semi-final has been postponed due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with June being the most likely option for a new date.

But Scotland boss Steve Clarke suggested this week the tie could be delayed further ahead of the next international window in September.

“There’s a lot of dates getting thrown around but nothing’s set in stone, nothing’s confirmed,” said Wales manager Page, who is not planning to attend the World Cup finals draw in Doha on April 1.

“As far as I am concerned the game is going ahead in June. That’s all we can do.

“We can just plan for June. We have to just sit tight and wait to hear from UEFA and FIFA and when they decide what they are going to do.

“But we’re one game away from living the dream, which is getting to a World Cup

Although in a completely different set of circumstances, Wales found themselves playing opponents at Euro 2020 last summer who were able to count on the support of neutrals.

Wales met Denmark in the round of 16 after the Danes’ popular midfielder Christian Eriksen had suffered a cardiac arrest during the group game against Finland.

Page said: “I get why people supported Denmark in the Euros with Christian and rightly so.

“It will be the same with Ukraine. I completely understand that people will support Ukraine.

“It’s appalling what the Ukrainians are having to go through. It’s not acceptable whatsoever. Every day you watch the news and it’s not right.

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