Coleman, a national hero after leading the squad to their first tournament finals since 1958, told a news conference on Friday, his 46th birthday, that only the 3-0 defeat by Sweden earlier this week caused him any concern.
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“But as a team our strength is knowing what we are good at and what we are not good at”.
“It’s been a bit surreal, especially with Wales having not been there for so long”. To actually be involved now is fantastic. When he talks to us and we go into a game, even if it is just a friendly game, you don’t go into it relaxed thinking this game doesn’t matter.
“The result for them is great, to get three points in the opening game is a great boost for confidence”, said Kozak.
As if Joe Allen’s worldwide tournament debut was not enough of a draw, it now looks likely that young Reds goalkeeper Danny Ward will make his first start for Wales.
That brilliance is mainly encapsulated in star man Gareth Bale.
“Chris Coleman and his terrific squad of players, including several of our Premier League Swans, have done a fantastic job in reaching the final stages of the tournament, where they’ll further put our wonderful country on the map as they compete against Europe’s elite”. Hal Robson-Kanu’s scuffed shot in the 81st minute restored Wales’ lead after another substitute, Ondrej Duda, had equalized for Slovakia with his first touch in the 61st.
In the case of Ledley, selection would represent a remarkable recovery after sustaining a leg fracture just a month ago.
Bale gave Wales the flawless start with a free-kick goal in the tenth minute before Robson-Kanu – a player without a club after leaving Reading – nudged his team home late on after Slovakia had rallied to equalise.
Slovakia’s coach Jan Kozak attends a training session.
Slovakia have also never appeared at a European Championships – although they would make an appearance at the 2010 World Cup.
– Vladimir Weiss made six assists in the qualifying campaign, the joint-highest total alongside Poland’s Arkadiusz Milik and Israel’s Eran Zahavi.
When Wales takes on Slovakia, the Slovaks will hope to take advantage of opponents who have won only one of their past seven games. He scored from a direct free-kick.
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“I just want to go out and play football”, he said.
