Wales’ Gareth Bale, Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey during a training session at Al Sadd SC, yesterday. REUTERS
Making their first appearance at a FIFA World Cup in 64 years in Qatar, Wales are fit and ready to go and want to prove how good they are, declared defender Ethan Ampadu. The Red Dragons, led by Rob Page, will finally return to football’s top event when they take on the United States in their Group B opener at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Monday.
“We’re very excited, and everyone is fit and ready to go. We want to show how big Wales as a nation can be and show how good we are,” Ampadu told reporters yesterday.
“We’re here to compete, we’re here to do the best that we can, and if that gives us a possibility to win it, then, of course, we’re going to back ourselves,” the Chelsea star who currently plays for Italian Serie A side on loan added.
Wales sealed their World Cup spot via the playoffs, beating Ukraine by a lone goal. The team has grown significantly over the last 10 years, which began with a terrific run to the semi-final of Euro 2016, a round of 16 exit at Euro 2020 and now a World Cup stage.
Wales’ Ethan Ampadu during a press conference, yesterday.
After their opening game, Page’s side will take on Iran on November 25 and then neighbours England four days later.
“You’re on the biggest stage, and we just want to put in good performances and go as far as we can,” Cardiff City forward Mark Harris added.
On the game against the USA, Harris said, “They’ve got great players, even the mentality of the team, you can see it, and they have done well qualifying for the World Cup as well. I’m sure it will be a tough match for us, and we are going to be all in for the three points, so we’ll see.”
Ampadu, on the other hand, stressed the team has to have the mindset that they are at the World Cup, saying, “Here at the World Cup, no games are easy. I think no matter what team you play for, you have to go with the mindset that you are at the World Cup.”
Harris admitted that Wales were getting used to the weather and should be acclimatized after a few days of training. “Obviously, we’re not too used to heat like this, especially being autumn back in Wales. I’m sure training in the next few days will help us acclimatize to that, and yeah, we are looking forward to the first game.”
During their training session yesterday at the Al Sadd Sports Club, Wales were boosted by the participation of former Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen, a major injury doubt for the opening match against the US.
The 32-year-old Swansea City star hasn’t played since September due to a hamstring injury. He trained on his own with a member of the Welsh medical staff yesterday.
Gareth Bale also trained with the squad despite saying he wasn’t 100 percent fit before the World Cup, while Aaron Ramsey, Daniel James and Neco Williams all trained alongside the team.
