Hennessey: Wales can win it all

WALES can deliver one of the greatest shocks in football history by winning the World Cup, insists veteran goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey. Rob Page has led the Welsh to their first World Cup since 1958 and only the second in their history. They will face England in the group stage in Qatar, as well as the USA and Iran. Wales must beat Poland in Cardiff tomorrow to stay in Nations League A in their final game before Qatar — but not surprisingly, the players already have one eye on the sport’s greatest competition. Over 30,000 supporters are expected to give Wales a World Cup send-off at the Cardiff City Stadium. ‘I know people will say we are the underdogs because it is the first World Cup for this group of players but we are not just there to make the numbers up,’ said Hennessey. ‘We are going there to win. What is the point of being in it if you are not going to win the whole thing?’ Wales have made rapid strides in recent times, reaching the semifinals of Euro 2016 and the last-16 at Euro 2020, as well as winning promotion to the top tier of the Nations League. Despite Hennessey’s optimism, they will be outsiders in Qatar — though they do have a realistic chance of qualifying from their group. If Gareth Bale finds top form, anything is possible.

Bale is in line to start against Poland despite doing so only twice for new club Los Angeles FC this term, as he manages his fitness to ensure he is at his best in November. Hennessey added: ‘He is playing regularly and he feels really good. He has a smile on his face and they are treating him very well over there. He did very well when he came on against Belgium on Thursday. Hopefully, he has a big game to come and he is ready to roll against Poland.’ Wales will again be without injured quartet Aaron Ramsey, Ben Davies, Harry Wilson and Joe Allen.