WE’RE PREPARED FOR A SCRAP
Chris Coleman says Wales boys will not hold back in crucial Ireland showdown
CHRIS COLEMAN expects a ‘hell of a game’ when Republic of Ireland visit Cardiff for a World Cup qualifying showdown that Gareth Bale will watch from the stands.
Despite his injury, Bale wanted to support his Wales team-mates on a night when winner takes all.
Coleman is aware the match will carry even greater needle after Seamus Coleman broke his leg in the reverse fixture, but insisted that incident would not inhibit the Welsh approach on home turf.
Coleman said Neil Taylor’s mistimed tackle won’t be mentioned in his dressing room, although the defender is likely to be cast as the villain by travelling Ireland fans.
‘It is all or nothing for both teams,’ said Coleman. ‘So even without the unfortunate incident in Dublin with Taylor and Seamus, this was always going to be a game where there will be two teams locking horns. There will be lots of contact in the game, it will be physical, good players there as well. There will be chances either end and there won’t be much in it.
‘After the game in Dublin, Neil was absolutely devastated, as we all were. Seamus is such a good player and you never want to see that happen. But there won’t be any mention of the incident, we’re just going to make sure we’re focused on doing what we’re good at.’
Bale rejoined the Wales camp yesterday after the squad flew back from Tbilisi and he will remain in Cardiff to watch the game tomorrow.
‘Gareth, James Collins, and Jazz Richards will be there,’ said Coleman. ‘I never demanded them to come. That’s them saying, “We’re going to be there to make sure we support the boys”. And we’re going to need it. It’s going to be a hell of a game, the Republic will be ready for it, so we need all the help we can get.’
Victory in Georgia, courtesy of Tom Lawrence’s wonderful strike, has given Wales a real chance of qualifying for Russia. Beating Ireland will almost certainly guarantee a play-off place, but greater rewards lie in store: should Serbia fail to defeat Georgia, a Wales win would see them through as group winners. A point may be enough for Wales to gain a play- off berth depending on results in Europe. Ireland could also finish first or second, but need a win and the delicate balance should ensure a fascinating encounter of ebb and flow.
Coleman is focused on one thing. ‘ We can’t look at permutations. What we’ve got to do is say what we want to do from the outset.’
Even without Bale fit, Wales are on a roll. They have lost one of their past 21 qualifiers and a third cleansheet win in a row this week dispelled the notion they need Bale to win. As 17-year-old sensation Ben Woodburn had done before, Lawrence stepped up and Coleman has options on the bench.
There is belief Wales can win a fourth competitive game in succession for the first time in 38 years.
Lawrence’s confidence against Georgia fuels that faith. The winger switched Leicester City for Derby County for £7million this summer to gain regular action and said that missing out on Euro 2016 through injury added to his determination to make an impact for Wales. ‘ That injury has pushed me even more,’ said the 23-year-old.
‘It was heartbreaking to miss the Euros but it has given me the motivation to come on leaps and bounds.
‘I can’t wait for the Ireland game, the atmosphere is going to be unbelievable. Having I reland fighting makes for a great game.’