A HUNDRED NOT OUT!
BALE ISN’T FINISHED YET
GARETH BALE played only 45 minutes in this win and his 100th cap was one of his quieter days in Dragon Red.
Yet his impact on this team and the legacy he will leave on Welsh football could not have been more striking.
At 2-0 up at half-time, Bale was withdrawn on his century to save him for Belgium’s visit tomorrow as the hosts target next year’s World Cup.
But Wales were still “ruthless” without him as Belarus were put to the sword. Only a late screamer from Artem Kontsevoy gave the visitors a moment of respite.
And such is the mindset of Bale in pursuit of glory, the hosts were not happy. While Bale rightly took the applause at the end for his devotion to his country, it wasn’t long before his andWales’ thoughts turned to their final qualifier as they bid to finish second in their group and earn a home play-off.
Spurs defender Ben Davies, who scored his first goal for his country, gave an insight into the team’s mentality when asked about plans for Bale to mark his landmark in his home city of Cardiff.
He replied: “Knowing Gareth, it will be rest, recover and get ready for Tuesday.
“It is hard work again now. We are back on the training pitch the next couple of days, desperate to start that Belgium game. We were clinical against Belarus but I think we’ve played better. There are a lot of things we can improve on. That is probably the good mentality we have in this team.We are not satisfied despite putting in a performance like that.
“The best moments are when we have been in major tournaments. That is where we thrive and where we want to get to again. Until we get there we can’t be satisfied.”
Wales are already guaranteed a play-off place having won their Nations League group last year but to have any chance of a home draw they must finish second.
Wales have relied upon their captain and record scorer Bale, who has 36 international goals, countless times in the past.
But with the star clearly lacking fitness after his hamstring tear, this was a night for others. Aaron Ramsey (2), Neco Williams and Connor Roberts joined Davies on the scoresheet.
Davies added: “Gareth has got us out of a lot of sticky situations but it is important other players deliver around him.
“We had him for 45 minutes but in the second half you saw good displays. It is a chance for all. We were ruthless in front of goal.”