One of Wales’ strongest sides in history will be in the spotlight as they take on Slovakia in the opening game for Group B. Join The Roar from 2am AEST for live scores from the match.
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Gareth Bale says England cannot match Wales for pride and passion and that will be demonstrated when they meet at Euro 2016. We believe we can beat them.
“Obviously they have one of the best players in the world, so we have to be really focused, but we’ll try to have an open game against Wales”.
“It is like any derby – you never want to lose to the enemy”, said the 26-year-old on Friday.
Hal Robson-Kanu came on from the bench and was constantly patrolling the forward line when Aaron Ramsey made another surging run and toe poked the ball inside the box.
“I understand we’ve got 25 or 30,000 Welsh supporters behind us, which is incredible”.
“For me it is probably the standout game in the tournament in the group stage”.
Coleman acknowledged that Napoli’s Marek Hamsik, who will captain his nation in Bordeaux, fulfilled a similar leading role for Slovakia.
“You know the key if you play against him, you know his skill in the free kick and you can not make the fouls around the box and we made one”, the Liverpool defender said. But as a team our strength is knowing what we are good at and what we are not good at.
“That is the thing, my daughter’s sports day is on which I could be back for if we don’t qualify out of the group but obviously I want to qualify out of the group, we want to be there as long as possible”.
Gareth Bale heaped praise on match-winning team-mate Hal Robson-Kanu after the substitute struck the victor in Wales’ 2-1 victory against Slovakia.
‘We got the three points which is fantastic but more importantly was the performance.
Chris Coleman’s Wales side have faltered since qualifying, not winning any of their four matches.
Facing Slovakia will nearly bring the £86m man’s Wales career full circle, his first competitive appearance and goal arriving against them back in October 2006.
Coleman played 32 times for Wales from 1992-2002, and skipper Williams, 31, said: “By the time you leave the changing room door you are ready to go into battle”. As for Slovakia, they too only have one appearance in a tournament finals, the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, finishing in the last eight.
“This is the gang that got us to the tournament in the first place and these players have never disappointed when the big challenge comes”.
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Slovakia coach Jan Kozak, whose side face Russian Federation on Wednesday, said the result was not an accurate reflection of the game.
