‘How we overcame our World Cup heartache’
WALES stars have revealed how some ‘textual healing’ helped them get over their World Cup heartache.
Preparing for Friday’s friendly with France, Chris Coleman’s men are back in camp for the first time since the defeat to the Republic of Ireland last month which ended dreams of making it to next summer’s finals in Russia.
It was a devastating blow to the hopes of a nation and rocked a side that had convinced themselves they had found form and momentum at just the right time to reach a second successive major tournament.
Players left Cardiff City Stadium with eyes glazed while Coleman this week gave an insight into the depth of disappointment felt by his men when explaining why captain Ashley Williams headed straight down the tunnel, unable to face the side’s own fans as the realisation of what had just happened truly sank in.
Describing the skipper as “crushed”, Coleman went on: “He came off the pitch and was inconsolable – he was a broken man and in another place.”
He wasn’t alone, with a clutch of senior players then holding emotional talks with Coleman in a bid to persuade the popular 47-year-old boss to remain as national boss.
But, after coming back together, it’s been revealed how the players’ Whats App messaging group became a source of comfort in the immediate aftermath of defeat – with Gareth Bale the first to gee-up crestfallen teammates.
Wales stars have described in the past how the togetherness of the squad is highlighted in their group chats between international windows, displaying the unity and mickey-taking bonds formed following a decade of coming through the ranks together.
And midfielder Andy King said: “That was key for us after that disappointment. We worked so hard to get back into the group; in the middle of the campaign we weren’t sure, but to then win four on the spin meant we put ourselves back in with a shout.
“We almost thought ‘this is us now, we’re on a roll.’ We thought we were going to get where we all wanted to be – and then we had that disappointment.
“It was very tough but we are a close squad and the chat on the group after the game was actually good for us.
“There were lots of messages of support on there straight away saying ‘what a great few years it’s been’ and ‘I know we haven’t qualified, but we’ve got a great team spirit.’
“They say you find out a lot more about your team when the times get tough.
“It’s easy to be together when you’re in a Euro semi-final, but it’s more difficult when you’ve missed out on the World Cup.”
Real Madrid star Bale missed the game through injury, but travelled to Cardiff to be around the squad in the build-up to the Ireland match – a game Wales needed to win to be sure of a play-off place – before taking his place in the stands.
He flew back to Spain almost immediately after the game, but not before sparking the support between friends.
“I think it was Gaz who actually broke the silence,” said Burnley frontman Sam Vokes. “I can’t remember exactly what it was like, but it was about keeping our heads up and making sure we were ready for the game in November and to keep going because we wanted to start again.
“It was a big boost. Things like that help even when you’re hurting.”
Instead of a play-off, Wales have a friendly – albeit a high-profile one against last summer’s Euro 2016 hosts in the venue of the final Wales were 90 minutes away from reaching.
“We wanted this to be a play-off, but it’s a great game for us to clear our heads and look forward again,” admits Vokes.