SPORT Coleman promises Wales will rise to the challenge
WALES will tomorrow head back to the scene of one of the national side’s greatest lows – with manager Chris Coleman saying his side are tough enough to return and keep World Cup dreams alive.
A 40,000 Serbian crowd will await Coleman’s Euro 2016 heroes in Belgrade with Wales needing, at the very least, to avoid defeat if they are to maintain hopes of making it to next summer’s finals in Russia.
They do so without talisman Gareth Bale and back in the country where they suffered a humiliating 6-1 defeat in September 2012 as Wales buckled in the hostility.
But Coleman – who also has to deal with the absence of Neil Taylor, James Collins, Andy King, Ben Woodburn and Hal Robson-Kanu – is adamant that his men have the mental and physical toughness to cope with the challenge that awaits them in the backyard of the group leaders.
Though unbeaten in the campaign, Wales are four points shy of Serbia and the Republic of Ireland, who face fourth-placed Austria tomorrow afternoon, with questions raised over whether the golden generation have the steel to go with the shine.
But a defiant Coleman said: “I know it’s going to be tough, but I like meeting those challenges.
“With Baleo in the team or not, I can’t guarantee a win – and we’re desperate for a win – but what we must do is perform.
“We have to stand up to them and not go away with our tails between our legs having missed the game, because that’s unacceptable.
“That’s the only unacceptable thing if you are a professional footballer and you don’t participate.
“I won’t accept that, but I don’t expect it from these players.
“For some time now they’ve stepped up to the mark and I’m confident they will do again.”
Serbia v Wales big-match special: Pages 56-58