Ex-Forest Green Rovers striker Kieffer Moore added another chapter into the story of his impressive rise from non-league, netting his eighth goal for Wales in their hard-fought 1-1 draw against Belgium at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Moore capitalised on a rare defensive error from the visitors when Dan James’ delivery evaded the Belgium backline who failed to clear their lines, allowing the 6ft 5 striker to fire past Wolfsburg ‘keeper Koen Casteels.
Wales would go on to clinch second place in Group E, gaining a seeded play-off place which allows Rob Page’s team to avoid the likes of Portugal and Italy in their World Cup play-off semi-final.
The events of Tuesday night are a far cry from those that Moore was used to in 2016. While some of his Welsh teammates returned from a historic semi-final appearance in the Euros, the forward was preparing ahead of a National League campaign with Rovers in non-league.
Moore would go on to score seven goals for Forest Green, while also netting five times for Torquay United during a loan spell at the club that season.
His exploits during the season helped Moore gain his big move to Ipswich which eventually led to his rise up the Football League – going on to register a 20-goal campaign for Cardiff City last season.
Firing Wales into a seeded play-off place after a draw against the side ranked number one in the world, it is safe to say that no one would have expected the striker to have reached such heights whilst at the New Lawn in 2015.
After all, this is a player who isn’t only just managing to appear on the international stage, he’s a key component of Rob Page’s Wales side.
Since his debut in 2019, no one has contributed more goals in all competitions – some feat in a side that can call upon Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.
You’d argue that even the most optimistic Forest Green Rovers fan wouldn’t have imagined that Moore would be mentioned in the same conversation as arguably two of Wales’ greatest players – Ramsey and Bale.
Wales will find out their fate in the 2022 World Cup play-offs on Friday in Zurich, as the draw takes place on Friday 26 November.
Read More: Follow the UoG Park Life Sport Liveblog to catch the latest action here!
