Wales boss Ryan Giggs challenged his players to win their Nations League group after seeing them edge past the Republic of Ireland without star men Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.
Giggsโ men sit at the top of League Bโs Group Four after completing a double over Ireland with a 1-0 victory at the Aviva Stadium courtesy of Harry Wilsonโs fine free-kick.
They entertain Denmark next month already having assured a place in pot two for the Euro 2020 draw and knowing another three points will put them into an unassailable position.
Giggs said: โWe set out in this Nations League to win the group and then see where it took us, and thatโs good that we can do it with one game to go.
โNow the next thing is to look to win it. It wonโt be easy โ we have got Denmark at home โ but Cardiff City Stadium will be bouncing, weโre guaranteed for that, and Iโm really looking forward to the challenge now.โ
A game of sparse quality was won by one of the few moments of inspiration when Harry Wilson took full advantage of Harry Arterโs rash 58th-minute challenge on Connor Roberts to curl home a superb free-kick.
Giggs, who handed first starts to teenagers Matthew Smith and Tyler Roberts in Dublin, was significantly happier with Wilsonโs contribution in Dublin than the one Derbyโs on-loan winger made in scoring in his clubโs Carabao Cup win over Manchester United last month.
He said: โHarry, magnificent free-kick. I thought about fining him for scoring at Old Trafford, but I wonโt be fining him tonight.
โItโs not easy when youโre missing quality players like that, and there have been results which have not gone our way without Gareth and Aaron, so it was a chance for the players to come in and prove that thatโs not the case going forward and they did that tonight.
โWe played some really good stuff, but the thing Iโm most proud about is that clean sheet, that will to defend and put their bodies on the line.โ
If Giggs was jubilant as he headed back across the Irish Sea, opposite number Martin OโNeill found himself increasingly embattled after a run of five competitive games without a win and only nine goals in 13 matches.
Asked if he questioned himself โ there were boos on the final whistle โ he replied: โDo you know what? I am not so sure that I have ever not asked questions about myself.
โI think I do. I think I did that as a player and I certainly do that as a manager.
โIf you are asking about responsibility for it, I take responsibility for every kick that is made on that field by us. That is my job. That will not change.
โAnd in terms of questioning, there is no question. I do question everything that happens on the field. I look back again to see what we may have been able to do a little bit better and hopefully that improvement continues.
โBut in terms of questioning myself as a professional, both as a player and as a manager, Iโve always done it, genuinely always done it.โ
