By David Williams
Kieffer Moore insists he will take confidence from a goal against Switzerland he believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic would have been proud of.
The Wales striker – nicknamed Zlatan by his Cardiff City teammates after a 20-goal season in the Championship – has pushed himself into the Euro 2020 spotlight with his equaliser for Wales against Switzerland in the 1-1 draw.
Now, Moore has turned his attention to Wales’ next game against Turkey on Wednesday, which is likely to be the pivotal in their attempts to reach the tournament’s knockout stages.
Moore, who scored his sixth international goal at the Olympic Stadium, was playing for English fifth-tier Forest Green Rovers when Wales reached the tournament’s last four in 2016.
“It’s been a hell of a journey,” the 28-year-old said.
“For me to start off this campaign with a goal and even be in the starting line-up is a huge landmark for me and something I’m very proud of.
“To score in the first game is a massive confidence boost for me and I’m just going to take that momentum to the next games,” he added.
⚽️🏴 | KIEFFER MOORE!
The goal that earned us a point this afternoon ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/bQs8005MTw
— welshfootie (@welshfootie) June 12, 2021
Moore, who stands 6ft 4in tall, qualifies to play for Wales thanks to his grandfather and is called ‘Zlatan’ by his Cardiff City team-mates, after the equally towering Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“I’m sure Zlatan would have been proud of the header. I like the nickname, I have a couple of nicknames,” he said.
“It’s a good comparison, I’ll take it all day,” he added.
Wales coach Robert Page said he could make alterations for his side’s second Euro 2020 Group A match against Turkey in Baku.
“I was pleased with the performance but it doesn’t mean it will be the same personnel,” he said.
“We’ll have a look for Wednesday, because they (Turkey) pose a different type of threat and a different way of playing,” he added.
Page’s outfit have beaten the likes of the Czech Republic and Finland in the past year by playing Liverpool striker Harry Wilson, who was on-loan at Cardiff last season, as a false nine.
In the Azerbaijan capital, Page started with Moore up-front and a four-man defence.
“We also have the option if we want to change it and go to a three at the back,” Page.
“We can play a Harry type of forward. We have the options and flexibility which is great,” added the former Wales defender.
Page’s men are two points behind top of the table Italy, who hammered Turkey 3-0 on Friday.
At Euro 2016, eventual winners Portugal as well Northern Ireland reached the knockout stages after picking up just three points in the group.
“We’re not to know if a win against Turkey will be enough. If four points is enough, then brilliant,” he said.
“We respect the teams but we don’t fear them,” he added.