Friday 4 September 2015

Bale Drives Wales to EURO


Gareth Bale insists Wales remain focused on qualifying for next summer's European Championships after victory in Cyprus moved them to within one win of their first major tournament in 58 years.

Chris Coleman's side can book their place at next summer's showpiece event - potentially their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup - with victory at home to Israel on Sunday after Bale's 82nd-minute header sealed victory in Nicosia.

And, while admitting he did not have his best game in a Wales shirt, the Real Madrid forward was pleased to have put his side on the brink of an historic achievement.

"I don't think I had the best of games tonight but when there's a chance, hopefully I can tuck it in," he told Sky Sports.

"Sometimes it happens like that. Luckily enough I did tonight and it has given us an important three points.

"We knew the task coming in and obviously there has been a lot of media surrounding us. We know what we have to do [against Israel] but we're a strong team.

Gareth Bale's 82nd-minute header put Wales one win away from qualification for the European Champion

"We're together and we know what our capabilities are. We're one unit and we know what we need to do now (to reach Euro 2016)."

On their last trip to Cyprus - a Euro 2008 qualifier in 2007 - Wales struggled to deal with the humid conditions and lost 3-1 as they failed to qualify for the tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

However, eight years on, Wales leave Cyprus on the verge of qualification, and Bale was pleased to have built on previous experiences.

"I think the game was a bit more than tough," he added. "We that knew coming over here, from previous experiences where we haven't done too well mainly because of the humidity.

"It wasn't too hot today but the humidity was incredible. We had a game plan, kept it tight and luckily enough we were able to nick a goal and that has put us in a great position."


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