Don’t write us off, warns Bale
WALES roared a defiant war cry last night, insisting: “We can still do this.”
Manager Rob Page described tonight’s must-win match against England – dubbed the Battle of Britain – as having “added spice” .
And pledging his team would bring surprises, captain Gareth Bale said: “There have been a few shocks in the World Cup and there’s no reason why we can’t do the same.”
Ex-Wales player Dean Saunders, visiting the training ground, said: “Of course it’s possible – you never know in football. Anything can happen.”
Players have been firing themselves up by rewatching a rallying cry delivered by Welsh actor and fan Michael Sheen.
In a rousing speech ahead of the World Cup, the Damned United star says: “When the English come knocking on our door, let’s give them some sugar, boys, let’s give them some Welsh sugar.
“They’ve always said we are too small, we are too slow, we are too weak, too full of fear. But, you sons of [Gary] Speed, they fall around us. We are still here!”
Bale urged passionate Red Wall fans to keep the faith and inspire the team to its greatest ever victory.
He said: “We need to stick together. We will give everything we can to win.”
The captain, who refused to say if tonight would be his last international game, said Wales were devastated and heartbroken after being beaten 2-0 by Iran on Friday.
He added: “No one can ever question our commitment.”
To be sure to qualify, Wales must beat England by four or more goals.
Page said: “We have to give a performance our supporters are proud of. We want to give everything to the cause. I will pick a team that will try and beat England. The Red Wall is as frustrated as I am.”
Wales can also progress by beating England by any score – but only if Iran and USA draw in their Group B game.
There are expected to be 6,000 Wales supporters at the Ahmad bin Ali stadium in Al Rayyan this evening.
Train drivers Mike Gronow and Chris Thomas left wives Maxine and Sara at home for their £10,000 once-ina-lifetime trip to see their team play in their first World Cup since 1958.
Mike, 49, from Cardiff, said: “We are clinging to the dream, but we know in all honesty the only way we can beat England is if England do what they do sometimes and beat themselves – which to be fair they can be quite good at.”
Chris, 53, of Maesteg, added: “Southgate can be quite cautious and has cost them games by not being bold enough. He is our secret weapon.”