KEIR RADNEDGE in CARDIFF —- Wales are tantalisingly within sight of the World Cup qualifying playoffs after dismissing sloppy Belarus 5-1 in an entertaining tie at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Belarus had lost their last four games and had picked up only three points so everything had pointed to captain Gareth Bale celebrating his 100^th cap with a victory. The only irritation was that Bale, barely recovered from a hamstring injury, had to quit the game at halftime with a calf strain.

Hopefully he was withdrawn in good time to recover ahead of the visit of Belgium on Tuesday which will decide whether Wales finish second in the table instead of the Czech Republic.

Wales were wary of their opponents. Back in September it took a stoppage time goal from Bale to snatch a 3-2 win in Russia where the tie was played because of sanctions against the Belarus government. That goal completed Bale’s hat-trick.

Bale duly led Wales out more than 15 years after his first cap as a 16-year-old and two months since his last run-out of any sort in the 0-0 draw with Estonia.

Wales made a perfect start with a goal in the second minute. Belarus failed to clear a corner, a follow-up shot from Ben Davies was dropped by keeper Sergei Chernik to present Aaron Ramsey with a simple tap-in.

Conor Roberts was within inches of a second but his angled shot skimmed narrowly wide of Chernik’s right-hand post.

Wales were a little sloppy in defence but Belarus were unable to capitalise and fell further behind after another blunder by skipper Chernik.

Bale strode through the inside-left position and fed Neco Williams whose shot was fumbled into the net by Chernik, taken by surprise at his right-hand post. This was the all-action Williams’s second goal for his country.

Wales, fired up by their two-goal start, remained lively and ever-eager, preventing Belarus from ever stringing more than a handful of passes together.

However easing up, against the Belgium on Tuesday, was not an option for Wales. Czech Republic could yet pip them on goal difference for the all-important second place in the group.

Ramsey strikes again

Rob Page, Wales’ interim coach, substituted Bale at halftime. He had clearly been playing within himself and had picked up that calf strain.

Even without him Wales extended their lead with a Ramsey penalty awarded for handball under pressure. This was the Juventus midfielder’s 20th goal in his 70th international before he was substituted with Belgium in mind.

However Ethan Ampadu will miss the Belgium tie after being booked for a clumsy challenge. Wales’ consolation was making it 4-0 with a simple Ben Davies header to a right-wing corner in the 77th minute. This was the Tottenham defender’s first goal for his country.

Wales switched off, allowing substitute Arten Konstovoi to run through midfield and thump a goal the visitors scarcely deserved. They instantly made amends, with Connor Roberts sneaking a fifth goal after a right-wing free kick.

Bale reappeared to walk a lap of honour after the final whistle. He, and Wales, were well worth the glory of the moment.

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