Wales held to 2-2 draw in World Cup qualifier by Austria

But Wales manager Coleman responded at his own press conference in Vienna by saying: “We played more than most, had more opportunities, played more football, but I would not put our achievement down to luck”.

But defender Neil Taylor believes there is no reason to apologise for the use of a more direct gameplan if it means Wales qualify for the World Cup in Russian Federation.

The Real Madrid man delivered a teasing cross and a risky throw-in to prompt a goal from Joe Allen and an own-goal from Kevin Wimmer, but Marko Arnautovic twice equalised to earn the hosts a draw.

Wales, handed a second goal when the ball bounced in off Austrian defender Kevin Wimmer, have reached the World Cup Finals only once, in 1958.

Bale met Ben Davies’ volley and, although the contact was not the cleanest with the ball hitting the Real Madrid forward’s shoulder, Almer still had to produce an outstanding one-handed save over the crossbar.

He could do nothing to stop Allen’s spectacular half-volley midway through the first half, however.

The opener came about after Gareth Bale whipped in a cross from the left, which eventually worked its way out to the edge of the box where Allen ran in on the ball and smashed it just inside the left post with a fine left foot half-volley.

Wales twice led in Vienna but were pegged back by Marko Arnautovic’s double.

Bayern Munich star David Alaba was given too much time and space in midfield and he lofted a ideal ball over the Welsh defence. Darting in from the left, the Stoke winger got away from Gunter by running on the inside of the Wales right-back before stooping to head past Hennessey. We have to keep finding different ways to score.

Wales hit back though and at a flawless time as they restored their lead bang on the 45 minute mark.

Sam Vokes nodded the ball and James Chester headed towards the goal.

Just three minutes after the restart, though, more lax Wales defending allowed Arnautovic to double his tally.

Allen was then forced off through injury and replaced by David Edwards.

Wales, who top the Republic of Ireland’s Group D on goal diffrence after two games, will also be without injured midfielder Aaron Ramsey at the Cardiff City Stadium.

The three guests who prevailed here in the past 12 months – Switzerland, Turkey and Netherlands – are all below Coleman’s side in the world rankings, and the pair’s previous clash in 2013, 18 months prior to their brilliant qualifying efforts, was claimed 2-1 by Wales in Swansea.