There are prizes for the winners at Cardiff City Stadium, a venue in Qatar later this year, where history also alludes to the home side.
Wales have not reached the World Cup since 1958 and manager Rob Page described Ukraine’s clash as “the greatest match in Welsh history”.
The same can be said for Ukraine for different reasons as they aim to provide some consolation and national pride to a country devastated by Russian aggression.
“We played for the fighters in the trenches, who fight with the last drop of their blood. We played for the suffering Ukrainians every day,” Ukraine coach Oleksandr Petrakov said after beating Scotland 3-1 in Glasgow on Wednesday. ”
“We still have the game of Wales in front of us. We will do everything to make the Ukrainians proud.”
Petrakov admitted to being emotionally “empty” after the victory at Hampden Park.
However, the 64-year-old, who tried to sign up for Ukraine’s regional defense when the war broke out, and his players should make another big effort to fulfill his World Cup dream.
The starting six line-ups against Scotland are still contracted to Ukrainian clubs and did not play a competitive game this year.
As Artem Dovbic broke clear to score the visitors’ third goal with the final kick of the game, his teammates got down to their knees in exhaustion rather than join in the celebration.
“We all understand that the game with Wales will no longer be about physical position or strategy, it will be a game of survival,” said Oleksandr Zinchenko.
“Everyone will fight till the end and give their all, because we will play for our country.”
– Final World Cup chance for Bell – Ukraine’s trip to Scotland from March was postponed, just weeks after the war broke out, to give the visitors a chance to meet the fixture.
But that change could still have a lasting impact on those who join England, the US and Iran in Group B of the World Cup.
Wales beat Austria in their play-off semi-final three months ago thanks to a brilliant double from Gareth Bale and were able to name a second-string squad for their 2-1 Nations League loss to Poland on Wednesday.
Bale and Aaron Ramsey were among the key players who were knighted on Sunday to keep them fresh.
“We are well aware of the situation Ukraine is in right now, and it must be incredibly difficult to be in their shoes,” said Tottenham defender Ben Davies.
“We know it will be an emotional event and a lot of people want some good news for Ukraine, but we have to try and stay out of it and focus on 90 minutes of football.”
Bale and Ramsey were among the heroes with remarkable performances in the semi-finals of Euro 2016, but this will certainly be their last chance to make it to the World Cup.
Page’s men have an impressive record at home, where they are unbeaten in 18 games as of 2018.
“It’s something we’ve been desperate to do for 50-60 years,” Davis said.
“It’s major for us. It’s a dream for our team and we’ve put ourselves in a position where we’re one game away, and for us the focus will be entirely on that.”
