DOHA HA HA HA

Deadly serious on the pitch but a joker off it, Welsh talisman Bale will take the Dragons on a magical adventure ride at this World Cup

HE is known as the joker in the Wales camp but there was no fooling around from Gareth Bale in his nation’s first World Cup game since 1958.

A camera followed Bale pre-match into the dressing room, out onto the pitch for the warm-up and in the tunnel before the clash with USA on Monday.

Throughout, Bale was all business as he walked around the Ahmed bin

Ali Stadium with a poker face.

Wales at their first World Cup for the 64 years might be a jolly for some but for ambitious, patriotic skipper Bale it is no laughing matter.

No one has done more than he to get Wales to Qatar – and no one seems more determined than he is to ensure the team make the most of the historic opportunity after qualifying for successive Euros.

So, with Rob Page’s men on the ropes at 1-0 down at half-time, Harry Wilson revealed how they needed their talisman to “drag Wales through”. Captain and record scorer Bale delivered again with his 41st international goal, winning and then converting a late penalty to earn a 1-1 draw and a vital point in Group B.

At 33, he is in the twilight of his career after moving to America this summer with nothing more to prove in club football having won the Champions League five times with Real Madrid.

In international football it is a different story and Bale, who has 109 caps,

appears fired up to add another glorious chapter this month to his illustrious career.

Fulham’s Wilson said: “He deserves to be on this stage for what he’s done at club level and also what he’s done for our country as well. He drags us through tough games and got his goal.

“His performances over the years... he deserves to play at the World Cup on the world stage before he retires.”

Bale was brought down by defender Walker Zimmerman before slamming home the resulting penalty eight minutes from time.

Keeper Matt Turner got a hand to the ball but team-mates were confident Bale would make no mistake.

Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey: “Gareth has been superb for us. With his record and what he can do – he steps up on the big occasions.

“It was a fantastic penalty. We know him, he has a smile on his face and he’s performing well.”

Bale will lead Wales into their second group game, against Iran on Friday, with Wilson expecting a reaction after Carlos Queiroz’s side were battered 6-2 by England.

He added: “It’s important in tournaments that you don’t lose your first game and that sets us up nicely. It will be up to us to make sure we are on form to try to get the three points. It was a difficult result for Iran, England was always going to be difficult for them.

“They will be looking for a reaction and I think that is what we are going to see.”

As well as most likely another big performance from Bale.