Hal has no fears over upcoming Pepe clash
AFTER scoring one of the finest and most significant goals in Wales’ history, Hal Robson-Kanu takes an emboldened approach to the prospect of facing a defender with two Champions League medals in his locker.
Pepe has dealt with Europe’s finest attackers during his time at Real Madrid but Robson-Kanu, a free agent after allowing his Reading contract to expire, is undaunted.
‘I don’t know how much he will be looking forward to playing against me,’ said the Wales No 9. ‘My job will be to occupy him. He is a worldclass player, he knows what he is doing, but it holds no fear and I am relishing the game.’
Robson-Kanu has not enjoyed a prolific career — he scored 13 goals in his last three seasons at the Madejski Stadium — but in France he has shown qualities that belie the statistics. He gave Jason Denayer, the Belgium centre-back who spent time on loan at Celtic, a torrid time in the quarter-final and exudes a confidence that means these latter rounds have prompted no anxiety.
His self-assurance may seem at odds with his achievements to date but among such exalted company, it is an asset. How else can his decision to perform a Cruyff turn in the box in the biggest game of his life — until tonight — be explained?
‘I have scored a few good goals but the significance of that goal and the manner was special for myself and for the nation,’ he said.
‘Portugal hold a bit of a high line and there will probably be more space in behind. Pepe will probably be seeing the back of my number a few times, chasing after me. There will be duels all over the pitch and it is about coming out on top and, hopefully, we can do that.’ Robson-Kanu’s confidence could stem from the knowledge that Pepe has a thigh injury and, after training alone yesterday, Portugal coach Fernando Santos was keeping his cards close to his chest.
‘I’m not telling you,’ he said when asked if Pepe (right) was fit to start tonight. ‘You will be rolling in your beds wondering tonight — I will be sleeping.’ The Wales camp believe Santos is bluffing, the sort of wily antics that Pepe is notorious for delivering. From over-reactions and arguments with referees to niggly fouls and crafty shirt-tugging, Pepe’s dark arts are infamous —but Robson-Kanu insists he has the edge after advice from Pepe’s Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale.
‘Gaz says he is actually a nice guy, believe it or not,’ he said. ‘On the pitch he does what is necessary but we will be comfortable to do what is necessary as well.’
Robson-Kanu is adamant he will not fall for any attempts by Pepe to get under his skin.
‘You don’t want to leave your team short. It is important you don’t make any rash decisions. I am sure it will be a feisty encounter.’
On two goals, Robson-Kanu is still just about in contention for the Golden Boot, trailing France’s Antoine Griezmann by two. He is one behind Bale.
‘I didn’t look what the odds were at the start of the tournament for that,’ he said. ‘It is the same with Gaz. It is not something we focus on. There’s no point winning that and not being successful in the competition.’
The match brings Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo into direct competition and Robson-Kanu is unequivocal on the debate between the galacticos.
‘We wouldn’t swap Gaz for any player in the world,’ he said. ‘He is invaluable. He brings more than people realise. It is a credit to him.’
Another display in Lyon like that from Lille will see Robson-Kanu’s suitors multiply and the 27-year-old does not play down his prospects. He said: ‘Before the tournament there were offers on the table and I knew where I could be going but I decided to wait until after the tournament.
‘I want to go somewhere which is progressive. It is about being given a platform. I am not doing anything different than previously. ‘I am enjoying every minute of it and feeling comfortable at this level. I want to play in the Premier League again.’ The priority is the here and now, of course, and Robson-Kanu sounds ready.
‘People are asking why we’ve been successful — we take each game as it comes, focus on what we need to do and the performance we need to put in,’ he said.