GLORY FOR WALES IS BALE’S DREAM
‘The best defeat of my life’ says Madrid talisman as history boys reach f inals
SO IT transpires the most meaningful action as far as Wales were concerned was taking was taking place in Jerusalem.
That Cyprus pulled off a shock win in the Israeli capital meant the 18 points collected already by Chris Coleman’s team proved sufficient to end the long wait.
Man was more than a decade away from walking on the moon the last time Wales, in 1958, qualified for a major tournament finals and while this performance could not be classed as stellar, for these players the feeling at its climax must have been rocket-fuelled.
They are heading to Euro 2016. Confirmed. Defeat here in Zenica did not matter in the end. Wales had enough in the engine already.
Their Real Madrid talisman Gareth Bale described it as ‘the best defeat of my life! It was a difficult game but we have done it and everyone is very happy. This is right up there in my career.
‘It was a dream from when I was a small child to play in a major tournament. It doesn’t stop here, we have business to do in France. We can breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy the occasion. We are like brothers on the pitch. If we lose the ball we fight for it back. We can now test ourselves against the best.’
Everyone in this ground was happy. Bosnia are chasing a play-off place and Israel’s choke in the Holy City has put them third in Group B.
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, said: ‘What a great moment for Welsh football. What an achievement to have made history, we are finally going to a major tournament. It’s not going to sink in for a while, I’m so proud. We are finally going.
‘This group of players is quite special. It didn’t quite happen tonight, but the togetherness, we’ve been really hard to beat.
‘This has been a dream of mine, I know for the others it’s been the same. We’re only a small nation, but we’ve done it. We’re over the moon. Thanks to all the supporters. See you in France!’
For the record, late goals from Milan Djuric and Vedad Ibisevic inflicted this now meaningless defeat but that could not deny the celebrations enjoyed by Bale and his team-mates.
They have succeeded where many before failed, and shared in abandon their joy with the few hundred Welsh fans able to get to this game. Scarves waved, fists pumped, smiles spread.
This 2015 vintage will not be filed into the same drawer as those agonising near misses. Not alongside Russia 2003 — Vadim Evseev’s solitary strike. Nor Romania 1993 — Paul Bodin’s penalty against the crossbar. Not Scotland 1985 — Davie Cooper’s controversial spot-kick overshadowed by the death of Jock Stein. Nor Scotland 1977 — Joe Jordan’s handball.
The atmosphere was hostile, even two hours before kick-off. Undeterred by billowing rain, groups of supporters outside Stadion Bilino Polje lit red flares to cast an eerie light into the night sky.
Inside, a pitch walkabout by Wales players drew deafening whistles from a significant number of Bosnians already in their seats.
This ground only holds 15,600 but the hosts’ fervour – non-stop bouncing, endless chanting – ensured intimidation. The 750 Welsh souls who had made the trip were only allowed in 15 minutes before the start for security reasons. It was worth it, though, by the end.
Coleman’s mood was lifted when the Bosnia team-sheet revealed Edin Dzeko had failed to recover from his knee injury to start. For Wales, Joe Allen and Joe Ledley returned to midfield having missed last month’s internationals.
Wales allowed Bosnia the ball, confident in repelling attacks at the moment danger approached. A slip on the sodden turf by Ben Davies in the ninth minute presented Miralem Pjanic a chance to put in Edin Visca but the forward dragged his shot wide.
Four minutes later Ramsey’s freekick nearly caught out Asmir Begovic but went wide. Bale was struggling to impose himself, twice narrowly failing to find Hal RobsonKanu with crosses from the left.
In the 56th minute, Bale had a glorious chance. Running down the left channel he progressed into the area and a familiar shooting position – but his shot flew off target.
Soon Bosnia coach Mehmed Bazdarevic sent on 6ft 6in Djuric and the Cesena striker made the most of a hopeful long free-kick into the area to steal a header that looped over Wayne Hennessey.
It was the first goal conceded by Wales in 574 minutes of action, dating back to the game against Cyprus 12 months ago.
In the final minute, Bosnia made it two. Djuric hooked a corner back across goal to allow Ibisevic the easiest of finishes from a yard out. Gloriously, it mattered not.