Wales look to Bale for inspiration
LONDON: Gareth Bale’s Wales hope to recapture the spirit of Euro 2016 when they attempt to revive their flagging World Cup qualifying campaign against Ireland in Dublin on Friday.
Having stunned Europe by reaching the semifinals of last year’s European Championship in France, Wales trail leaders Ireland by four points after four games in Group D. However, whereas Ireland are blighted by injuries and suspensions, Wales are at full strength, with Real Madrid talisman Bale fit and firing following a spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.
“We are a very good team when we’re at our best and at our strongest,” said Wales coach Chris Coleman. “We need these players on the pitch consistently and we’re in pretty good condition.
BALE WILL HAVE TO PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE AS THE EURO 2016 SEMIFINALISTS TRY TO MAKE CUT FOR RUSSIA 2018
The squad might have looked different two or three months ago. “But we’ve got players back and I’ve picked those who have been on the front foot and are most ready for this challenge.” Wales launched their bid to reach a first World Cup since 1958 with a breezy 4-0 home win over Moldova, but they have since run into trouble. A creditable 2-2 draw in Austria was followed by two frustrating 1-1 stalemates at home to Georgia and Serbia, Wales being pegged back after having taken the lead in both those games.
It left them third in the group, two points below second-place Serbia. With only the top team in each group guaranteed to qualify for next year’s tournament in Russia, it means Wales desperately need to get back to winning ways at the Aviva Stadium.
Ireland have won their last three group games, after opening with a 2-2 draw away to Serbia, but assistant manager Roy Keane knows their players will have to be at their very best to stop Bale.
“Do you not think other players and coaches have tried to come up with a plan before?” asked Keane.
“But the top players seem to figure it out and they’ll affect the game. Bale has done that for a number of years for Madrid . He’s a good player and we look forward to challenging ourselves against him.” Bale has already scored four goals in qualifying and needs two more to equal Ian Rush’s Welsh record of 28 goals.