NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Wales may be appearing in the World Cup finals for the first time in 64 years but they are not just in Qatar to make up the numbers.
Their last appearance in a global tournament saw them succumb to a goal by the 17-year-old Pele for the eventual champions Brazil in a quarter-final tie in Gothenburg. But having been to the last two European Championships, Wales boast the proud record of having always got out of their group at major finals – a record of which Scotland can only dream.
While there has been a lingering regret that John Charles, the Welsh superstar of the 1950s, was kicked out of the tournament before getting the chance to face Brazil, the international stage has been kinder to their modern-day talisman Gareth Bale.
Wales’ best chance of progress hinges on a 33-year-old with a string of injury worries who has been used sparingly since arriving at Los Angeles FC in the summer before his pivotal role in this month’s MLS Cup triumph.