Chris Coleman targets second

Chris Coleman says his Wales side are aiming for a play-off spot after boosting their 2018 World Cup hopes with Tuesday’s 2-0 win in Moldova.

Saturday’s 1-0 win in Austria got the Welsh back on track on their road to Russia and showed their mettle with a battling win in Chisinau.

With the Republic of Ireland taking just a single point from their two games in this batch of qualifiers, it now looks like Serbia will be the ones to top Group D, with Wales in the driving seat to finish second.

The format of qualifying means one of the pool runners-up will miss out and Wales will be keen to win their remaining matches to guarantee their place.

That will be easier said than done though, with a tough trip to Georgia next up, before the Republic come to Cardiff for the final game in qualifying.

Coleman admits their job is still far from done and with Serbia looking set to top the group, says sealing second is their priority.

“It looks very exciting,” Coleman said. “With two games to go you have to fancy Serbia [to win the group], but there is that second place we are trying to get.

“It is still very exciting for us with a lot to play for; the last two games should be fantastic.

“I think if you get 20 points you’d be unlucky not to get the play-off spot. That is the aim now.

I’ve never been one to look beyond the next game. Realistically we have to get maximum to give ourselves a chance of second.”

Wales are 151.00 to win the 2018 World Cup, with Serbia priced at 101.00.