BALE’S FINAL DESTINY
Wales star targets 2022 World Cup
Gareth BaLe has spoken for the first time about the ‘massive disappointment’ of missing out on the World Cup with Wales but his presence in China shows renewed ambition to qualify four years from now.
Bale will be 33 when Qatar 2022 arrives so there is no time to waste and his 7,000-mile trip to be here in Nanning for ryan Giggs’s first camp has been justified, not only for his record-breaking hat-trick against the hosts but for getting familiar with the new regime.
the impression of this Far east friendly tournament as an awkward imposition on players entering crucial periods with their clubs has altered. today’s final against a fullstrength Uruguay side certainly provides a rare chance for Wales to test themselves against a force from outside europe.
Giggs has also used his first camp to begin implementing ideas, aware that contact with players for international coaches is limited, and is expected to again pick his strongest XI.
Bale had to watch Welsh World Cup hopes crumble from the stands last October as the republic of Ireland won in Cardiff. But he said the hurt can be used to reach more major tournaments.
‘It was a massive disappointment for all of us not to reach the World Cup, having experienced the euros,’ said Bale. ‘We take the positives. Normally if we do well in one campaign we die away in the next. We were there right until the end.
‘I suppose missing out makes us even more hungry to try to qualify for the next campaign. every single player will tell you they want to play at the highest level for their country and that’s the World Cup or euros.
‘We don’t want to qualify for one or two tournaments, we want to be qualifying for every tournament we enter. We all need to push in the same direction to make that happen.’
a winner of Champions Leagues and La Liga, Bale certainly gave a stirring argument for trying to lift the China Cup, too. ‘It’ll be massive,’ he said. ‘to win any trophy is always good. But for your country it’s that bit more special, it’s in your heart and your blood. You want to make the whole country proud.’
Bale has been in and out of the real side this season, playing only 36 minutes of the Champions League tie against Paris SaintGermain, but he said his confidence had not been affected. his goals against China to take him past Ian rush in the all-time Wales scoring charts might give real coach Zinedine Zidane food for thought. TV: Wales v Uruguay, 12.35pm, Guangxi Sports Centre, LIVE on S4C.