LETTER FROM QATAR

BEING a quarter Welsh on my mother’s side, I have a natural affinity with the red Dragons.

England will always come first. But to see another of my teams enjoying their first World Cup finals in 64 years is a delight. The last time Wales were knocked out at this stage, they went down to a goal from Pele – then 17, now 82.

And Welsh fans have been enjoying every second of their adventure. As well as at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, where they held the US to a 1-1 draw, they have been visible everywhere.

They’ve been meandering among the Souq Waqif and knocking back £12-a-time pints in Doha’s English pubs. A radio presenter even went out to teach the Welsh language to fans of the other nations.

I witnessed the young lady coaxing bemused Croatians into getting their mouths around the greeting “Yaki Da!”

The Welsh authorities have got involved too, sending an ambassadorial team to sell the principality to the Qataris.

First Minister Mark Drakeford popped up and Dafydd Iwan, a nationalist singer and cultural ambassador for Wales’ FA.

Inevitably, there is a choir – an assembly of youngsters called Urdd Gobaith Cymru – and they’ve sent an 11-piece brass band called the Barry Horns, in tribute to ex-Wales midfielder Barry Horne.

The delegation also set up a giant Welsh hat installation in Doha’s main fanzone. Those 64 years of hurt must have left a yearning in the valleys.