Gareth Bale is the key to Wales' Euro 2016
hopes, says Welsh legend Ian Rush, as Chris
Coleman's dragons prepare for a first
appearance at a major tournament for 58 years.
Wales have many talented footballers. But
legends such as John Charles, John Toshack, Ian
Rush, Mark Hughes and Ryan Giggs were all
world-class competitors who never played at a
major finals in the red shirt.
Now Welsh fans have been planning their trips to
France since last October when Wales confirmed
their Euro 2016 place behind Belgium in their
qualifying group.
Real Madrid's Bale – the world's most expensive
player at about 100 million euros ($111 million) –
is the star of the squad.
The 26-year-old netted seven of Wales' 11 goals
in their 10 qualifying games and Rush told AFP
keeping the winger fit is key to Wales' chances
at the tournament.
"He's the most expensive player in the world,
who can win you games, and he's virtually got
Wales to the Euros," Rush said.
"I think it's very important to have Gareth Bale fit
and well. If we can do that, anything can
happen."
Wales manager Chris Coleman insists his squad,
who he describes as 'talented, hard-working and
organised', is more than just Bale, with Arsenal's
Aaron Ramsey a key figure in midfield and
captain Ashley Williams leading the defence.
"You need players of Gareth's ability if you are
going to go that step further," Coleman told AFP.
GOLDEN GENERATION
"But it's not just about Gareth.
"He scored seven goals for us in the qualifiers,
but we only conceded four goals, two of which
came in one game, so while we are strong at
one end of the pitch, we're also strong at the
other."
Coleman took charge of Wales in 2012, following
the tragic suicide of predecessor Gary Speed,
and has a contract until the 2018 World Cup in
Russia.
Apart from Bale, 12 of Coleman's 23-man squad
play for Premier League clubs and the current
group has been dubbed the 'golden generation'.
The Welsh open their Group B campaign against
Slovakia, also making their debut at a European
Championhip finals, in Bordeaux on June 11, then
face England five days later in Lens before
finishing against Russia on June 20.
The squad has captured the imagination of Wales
fans by finally qualifying for France, but what
made the difference this time around?
"The manager," said Coleman with irony and a
smile.
"You need a litle bit of luck, which we had, but
the players earned it.
"When we needed results in big games, we got
them and were able to go that one step further
than some of the best teams who have gone
before us.
"That speaks volumes for the players.
"This group has not only the talent, but also the
right mentality to play top-level international
football.
"That's why they have been able to make the
difference."
Welsh fans have endured near-misses down the
years since Wales played at the 1958 World Cup
in Sweden, losing 1-0 to eventual winners Brazil
in the quarterfinals.
LONG TIME COMING
Scotland went to the 1978 World Cup in
Argentina at Wales' expense, helped by a dubious
penalty involving Joe Jordan's hand in a key
qualifier. Then the Welsh only missed going to
Spain '82 on goal difference.
A 2-1 home defeat to Romania in November
1993 in their final qualifying game cost the
Wales team, containing legends Rush and
Hughes, a place at the 1994 World Cup, when
Paul Bodin's penalty kick hit the crossbar.
They lost a Euro 2004 play-off against Russia,
when a 1-0 defeat in Cardiff followed a goalless
draw in Moscow, leaving Welsh fans in despair.
Now the wait is over with Welsh rockers The
Manic Street Preachers having penned the
principality's official Euro 2016 song 'Together
Stronger (C'mon Wales)'.
"It's been a long time coming, I think there is a
great anticipation in the whole country after
Wales qualified," said Rush.
"It's always been a case of 'so near, so far' and
to qualify will hopefully mean a new era for
Wales."
The 54-year-old Liverpool legend, who scored 28
goals in 73 appearances for Wales over 16 years,
said the Welsh squad must look beyond Euro
2016 and target a place at the 2018 World Cup in
Russia.
"We don't want to qualify, but then not do so
again for another 10 years," said Rush.
"We we need to take it to the next level and be
looking to qualify for the World Cup. That's what
we need in Wales now."
posted from Bloggeroid
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