Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Bale: We are set for 2020
GARETH Bale promised Wales would be ready for the 2020 European Championship campaign after t heir China Cup disappointment.
Wales had to settle for the runners-up spot i n Nanning after Edinson C ava n i ’s s e c o n d - h a l f strike gave Uruguay a 1-0 victory yesterday.
The t wo China Cup games were new manager Ryan Giggs’ first in charge, and Wales only have a May friendly against Mexico in Pa s a d e n a b e fo r e the serious business of the inaugural Nations League starts.
Wales are i n a group with Denmark and t he Republic of Ireland in the autumn, those matches preceding the European Championship qualifiers which start next March.
“Ultimately we’re disappointed, we thought they were there for the taking,” Bale said.
“But when the major games come around in the qualifiers we’ll be ready.
“It’s been i mportant having the new manager in and everybody settling down, getting to know his ways.
“Obviously new players are coming in and there’s a lot of positives to take out of it.
“I think it’ll stand us in good stead for the future and I’ m sure we’ll win many more games.”
Giggs had started his reign with a 6-0 thumping of tournament hosts China, with Bale claiming a hat-trick t o become Wales’ record goalscorer.
But Uruguay were always going to present a far more formidable test with Cavani and Luis Suarez linking so well at the focal point of their attack.