Ampadu hopes to use past joy for inspiration

WALES STAR DRAWS ON 2022 PLAY-OFF AHEAD OF BOSNIA CLASH

- BY PHIL BLANCHE

ETHAN Ampadu believes Wales can profit from World Cup playoff euphoria in 2022 to qualify for this summer's tournament.

Wales host Bosnia-Herzegovina in a semifinal playoff on Thursday, with the winners playing at home to Italy or Northern Ireland the following Tuesday to decide who features at the 2026 World Cup.

Ampadu started the 1-0 playoff final victory over Ukraine in Cardiff four years ago which saw Wales reach their first World Cup for 64 years and there are a dozen survivors from that momentous occasion in Craig Bellamy's current squad.

"Hopefully we can use everything possible from the last World Cup playoffs to help players who might not have been in that situation," said Ampadu.

"It was a difficult game and Ukraine were very good. It feels like a blur now, and I probably remember more the celebrations after than the actual game itself.

"It's definitely added pressure because of what comes with winning a game like that.