Martin O'Neill ready for showdown with Wales in Cardiff

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has praised his players for getting the job done against Moldova to set up a crucial World Cup qualifying clash with Wales next Monday.

The Boys in Green earned all three points at the Aviva Stadium on Friday through a Daryl Murphy brace inside the opening quarter of the match, coming away with a 2-0 win.

Wales had earlier edged past Georgia in their penultimate fixture to put the pressure on their rivals for second place, with both teams now targeting victory at the Cardiff City Stadium to secure a best-placed runners-up spot.

"We got off to a great start with a goal early on," O'Neill told Sky Sports News. "We spurned a couple of chances before Murphy made it 2-0.

"Second half we maybe took our foot off the pedal but most importantly we won the game and it sets us up for Monday night. It's pretty interesting but we'll go over there, and we know what we have to do. Win a game in Cardiff."

Both Wales and Ireland can still finish top of the Group D standings, but for that to happen Serbia have to slip up at home to Georgia on the final matchday.