We’ll meet again .... Wales drawWorld Cup dream wreckers in new competition

RYAN Giggs believes Wales’ painful World Cup qualifying defeat to Republic of Ireland will serve as motivation for his side’s UEFA Nations League meetings with Martin O’Neill’s men later this year.

Giggs was among those in attendance at the draw for the newlyformed competition in Lausanne, Switzerland yesterday as Wales were paired with old foes Republic of Ireland and Denmark in group four of League B.

It comes just months after the Boys in Green ended Wales’ hopes of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia by beating Chris Coleman’s side 1-0 in Cardiff in what proved to be the current Sunderland manager’s final competitive fixture incharge of the national side.

And the Manchester United legend admits his players won’t need any additional motivation to get revenge over the side who ended Wales’ dreams of reaching a first World Cup since 1958 in October.

“It’s exciting because it’s a new format and a new tournament,” said Giggs.

“We’ve got a good draw. Republic of Ireland we know very well and Denmark are a team doing very well at the moment and they are going to the World Cup.

“It was a disappointing night in Cardiff so the players will be motivated and they’ll want to put that wrong right.

“It’s always tough when you’re up against teams when you know the coaches and players, do you cancel each other out?

“But the atmosphere will be great in the games.

“When we do face them we’ll have played a few games in between, so they’ll see how I like to set up, but other than that they’re in the dark really.

“You’re pitting your wits against two experienced men in football obviously with Martin as manager and Roy (Keane) who I know well.”

Giggs will take charge of Wales for the first time when they take on hosts China in the semi-finals of the China Cup on March 22, with the Red Dragons facing either Uruguay or Czech Republic four days later.

His first competitive match will come at home, though, when they face the Republic of Ireland on September 6.

And Giggs says Real Madrid star Gareth Bale will play a huge role in his first year in the managerial hotseat, adding that Wales’ talisman can be the difference when it comes to the games against Republic of Ireland and Denmark.

“There’s so much riding on each game, so it’s not hard to stimulate the players,” added Giggs.

“You want to get into League A against the likes of England, Spain and France. You don’t want to relegated either but there’s that carrot to qualify for the Euros.

“I think that’s the beauty of this competition. Sometimes in qualifiers you get teams at a lower level against teams at a higher level where you more or less know the result. Now, you see every group and anyone can win.

“That’s how the format was designed, to make sure you come up against teams of similar quality.

“He’s a fantastic player, and one that I hope I’m talking a lot about for positive reasons because when Gareth turns up, not only the fans and the players, but as a coach you’re excited because of what he brings to the team and he can be the difference.

“I’m a football man and that’s where you’re the most comfortable, on the football pitch.

“There’s a couple of months until China then the nitty-gritty begins and you soon come around to September so I’m very excited.”

Prior to the draw in Switzerland, the Football Association of Ireland confirmed that O’Neill has signed a contract extension to remain as manager of the Emerald Isle until 2020.

And discussing the outcome of the draw, O’Neill admitted that Wales won’t be the only side seeking revenge in the Nations League following Republic of Ireland’s 5-1 defeat to Denmark in the World Cup play-offs.

“It’s a chance to get back at Denmark and I’m sure the players will feel the same,” he said.

“It is tough draw for us but nothing much has changed. We know the opposition and they know us.

“I had conversations with the FAI