With Bale, Wales can still dream
AS SOON as Hal Robson- Kanu won the ball in a decent position there was just one thought in his mind. The striker with no club drew the foul from Wayne Rooney and set up the kind of chance that Wales had wished for. Jonny Williams spoke this week about how free-kicks around the area are seen as the same as penalties for Wales for one reason: Gareth Bale.
So even though this dead ball may have been 35 yards out and not 12, for Wales and Bale it represented a stage for magic to happen.
For the second time in as many games, Bale embarrassed an international goalkeeper. This time it was Joe Hart, with his dip and speed, and as long as he can pull such rabbits out of the hat, it is a trick Wales are right to rely on. Had Welsh resilience lasted 120 seconds longer it would have been a goal for the ages, one not only earning a rare draw against England — the enemy in Bale’s eyes — but also effectively confirming their progress to the last 16 of the European Championship.
Immediately, Bale knew its importance, continuing the arc of his run towards the England fans, beckoning their boos and tapping the dragon on his shirt.
But in the cold light of a 2-1 loss the significance of Bale’s strike dwindles to a footnote of his magnificent career — a 21st Wales goal to move one behind Dean Saunders in the all-time list. Good, but not what it might have been. Defeat was cruell on Wales. They defended well, ran hard, and limited England to a handful of genuine chances.
In particular, James Chester was superb, a constant thorn as England attacked, stepping forward to intercept and regain the ball.
They channelled England into wide positions, confident of their ability to clear crosses. But as time progressed they also dropped deep and conceded possession to lay a path for English pressure.
Wales have denied better attacking units than England’s — Belgium were shut out twice in qualifying — and for a team who kept seven clean sheets out of 10 on their way to France, conceding three goals in two games so far is below par.
Perhaps it was the arbitrary coming together of England’s frontline that enabled that split- second of confusion in added time, but the frustration at letting the point slip will be untold. Defeat should beg the question whether some defensive security can be sacrificed to allow for more attacking threat.
Can Wales afford to release an additional player on the break at set-pieces and in open play?
Chris Coleman will ruminate over that before the Russia game comes on Monday.
Draw then and Wales should get through. Win and it is certain. Defeat in this format is not fatal, and with Bale’s prowess Wales can always hope to have at least one goal in each game.
Greece provide inspiration. They too lost in the group stages of 2004 — to Russia — and relied largely on one scorer.
Angelos Charisteas was a demon in the air and his side played to that.
Bale is on a different level but, as he revealed this week, losing so painfully to this opposition will leave a scar. Wales will need to regroup quickly.