GARETH HAPPY TO PUTT LOVE OF GOLF ON HOLD
GARETH BALE is laying off the golf simulator to rest his back for tomorrow’s crunch game with Iran.
The Wales captain bagged his 41st goal for his country from the penalty spot in their opening 1-1 draw with USA.
Bale is now preparing to face Iran in Group B tomorrow back at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
And he is so fired up for the clash, teammate Harry Wilson revealed: “Gaz has had a golf simulator put up there so there have been a few competitions on that.
“When he has a swing he is very good. He hasn’t played as much, closer to the game, because his back might be feeling it a little bit.”
Golf-mad Bale was criticised while at Real Madrid for his love of the sport, which led to Wales fans producing a banner stating his priorities as, “Wales, Golf, Madrid”.
After Bale previously topped the leaderboard, Wilson added: “We have a few good golfers. Some play more than others. “Matty Smith is very good. He is definitely top dog at that.” Wales were back in training yesterday at the squad’s base in Al Sadd. Included in the group was Joe Allen, who worked out on his own before the USA game as he continued his return from a hamstring injury. Wales boss Rob Page has said in the past: “if he is fit, he plays.”