“When you wear the jersey, you go to another level,” announced Rob Page. The Wales team boss reiterated: “Big players deliver in big games. They have always done that.” One thing also suits his stars: After the semi-final against Austria, a possible final for the World Cup starting place is not waiting until June due to the postponement of the game between Scotland and Ukraine.
Bale has already announced that the trip to Qatar at the end of the year would be to his liking. The 2016 European Championship finals, in which the Brits only reached the semi-finals, are to follow. “It was always important for me to play in a major tournament with Wales. With a participation in the World Cup we would tick off the last item on the list. We all dream of that,” said the Cardiff-born winger.
Wales is optimistic
Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey are in the starting line-up for the World Cup qualifying play-off against Austria. The Wales stars may have been injured recently, but the team is optimistic.
Always heart and soul for Wales
While Bale is almost permanently injured and listless at Real with a salary of rumored 700,000 euros per week on the siding, the offensive star always fights with body and soul for the “Dragon”. He has held 100 international matches to date. The Welsh record holder is Chris Gunter with 106 international appearances.
The still active Ramsey is also in the current squad. The defender has made 71 appearances for Wales so far. The long-time Arsenal professional also suffered injuries after his transfer to Juventus Turin. Ramsey only made three league appearances for Juve this season before moving to Glasgow Rangers. He has played 133 league minutes for the Scots since January, with Ramsey completing almost the entire game at the weekend.
Bale has played 77 minutes for Real since Wales beat Belarus 5-1 last November. He skipped Sunday’s Clasico. He hasn’t been a factor in the Champions League either: injured in the group stage, three minutes as a substitute in the round of 16 against Paris Saint-Germain. David Alaba, who switched to Real last summer, can count the joint appearances on one hand.
Team boss Page brushed aside concerns about his star Bale’s fitness. The fact that the offensive man was not even in the squad at the weekend because of an injury should not play a role in the duel with Austria. “I’m not worried. He’s had two good days of practice now. He’s fit,” Page said the day before the Cardiff game. What exactly was plaguing Bale, however, remained a mystery.
“I’m ready”
While Spanish media reported back problems, neither Page nor Bale themselves wanted to comment. There was talk of “little ailments”. “But everything is fine, I have no problems,” said the 32-year-old. “I’ve gotten in good shape over the past few days. I’m ready.” According to Page, all called-up players are available. Penalties were also practiced. “But we want to decide it in 90 minutes,” Page said. “We expect a tough game. Austria is a good team. But we will throw everything into this game.”
It goes without saying that Bale should play a decisive role on the way to only participating in the World Cup for the second time after that in 1958. According to media reports, he left Madrid for Cardiff on Thursday evening. In Spain, that was not necessarily appreciated. The attacker spoke of one of the “biggest games” of his career. “We want to go to the World Cup. It’s a big opportunity, we have to be ready.”
“Nice handshake” with Alaba before kick-off
Of course he talked about the game with his club colleague Alaba, said Bale. “We know it’s a big game for both teams. He’s just as excited about it as I am,” said the Welshman. He saw the starting position as balanced. “There’s a lot at stake for both teams.” With Alaba there will be “a nice handshake before kick-off,” said the Welsh captain. True to the motto: “May the better win.”
Page raved about the camaraderie and team spirit in his team at the online press event. “We deserve where we are. We have a good balance at the moment and are confident about the game,” said the 47-year-old.