Gareth Bell has praised Wales’ acting coach Robert Page for keeping the team focused and achieving a “landslide victory” over the Czech Republic despite an off-the-field foul over the Czech Republic in the 2022 World Cup qualifier. Manchester United won 1–0 at the Czech on Tuesday with a goal from Daniel James. The win pushed Wales to third place in Group E, one point behind the Czech Republic in the second, and Belgium’s four leaders had a chance to play one game each.
It was a much-needed tonic for Wales whose head coach Ryan Giggs stayed away from the team due to his arrest on suspicion of assaulting a woman last year.
Giggs denied the charges and granted bail until 1 May.
As if it were not a distraction, players Hal Robson-Kanu, Rabbi Matondo and Tyler Roberts were dropped from the team on Monday for staying out of the squad and breaking curfew at the team’s hotel.
Matondo and teammate Ben Cabango were also racially abused online after Wales’ favorable win over Mexico on Saturday.
“Page has kept us focused despite going off the field,” Bailey told Sky Sports.
“Victory is what we needed.”
Only the group winners will automatically qualify for the final of Qatar, putting the team in second place.
Belgium, ranked number one in the world, is the most favored to top the group, while Wales have guaranteed themselves all-play after winning their Nations League group last November.
A place in the final would seal Bell’s international career as he suggested on Monday that this would be his final qualifying campaign.
Bell, who is on loan at Real Madrid’s Tottenham, is expected to arrive later this year, but will be 33 by the time he reaches the final of the World Cup.
“We did not miss the best start against Belgium, so it was important to get a win tonight,” he said.
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“It was a massive result. We showed a lot of heart and desire to match a very physical team.”
“It was very chaotic, especially the second half, but we were ready and going to the end and the most important thing is to get this winner.”
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