By Toby Davis
LONDON (Reuters) – Wales’ preparations for their first World Cup in 64 years were dogged by poor form and injuries but after qualifying confidently they will be champing at the bit to get to Qatar where their knockout hopes could hinge on a “Battle of Britain”.
Rob Page’s side made the World Cup via the playoffs, overcoming Austria and Ukraine to reach the global showpiece tournament for the first time since 1958.
That followed a group-stage campaign in which they finished second behind Belgium after suffering a solitary defeat in eight matches.
While the wheels came off after they booked their spot in Qatar — with four defeats in five games ensuring they dropped out of the top tier of the Nations League — Wales will head to tournament targeting at least the last 16.
After winnable games against the United States and Iran, they face a familiar enemy, England, in their final Group B match but there will be no trepidation.
Having played Belgium, only recently deposed from the top of the FIFA rankings, three times in the last 12 months, losing once, Wales know they are no pushovers for the top sides.
And there will be plenty of fire in the Welsh Dragon after such a lengthy absence from the tournament.
There have been 15 World Cups since Wales last reached the finals and the last goal they conceded at the tournament was scored by a 17-year-old Pele, the great Brazilian’s first in the competition.
Wales’ qualification for Qatar is testament to the excellent work of Page, who initially took charge of the team on an interim basis when then-manager Ryan Giggs was arrested in November, 2020.
The former defender, who won 41 caps for Wales, led them to the last 16 at Euro 2020 before sealing their World Cup qualification and earning a four-year contract.
Yet it has not been all plain sailing for Page, who has now gone five matches without a victory and had his preparations plagued by injuries to key players including Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen, Ben Davies and Harry Wilson.
There are also question marks over the form of captain Gareth Bale since he joined Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC, perhaps the last stop in a career that seems to be winding towards its close.
Page knows Wales’ squad needs to be at full strength if they are to excel in Qatar.
“For us to compete at the top level we’re going to need every player fit and available and playing well,” he said after their defeat by Poland in September.
“That’s nothing against the rest of the squad – they’re brilliant, to a man – but we need our best players on the pitch.”
(Reporting by Toby Davis, editing by Ed Osmond)
