I’m used to being fouled all the time – Gareth Bale

• Posted on October 15, 2014
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Gareth Bale says he is used to the rough treatment he received from Cyprus defenders during Wales’ 2-1 Euro 2016 qualifying win.

Bale, 25, helped his nation secure a vital three points on Monday to move them up to top spot in Group B after three games.

The Real Madrid man was the subject of a number of strong tackles, with many going unpunished, while Wales teammate Andy King was shown a red card for a late challenge.

“It’s normal to get taken out a few times, you just have to dust yourself off and go again,” Bale told The Sun. “You hope you would get the same treatment from referees. I haven’t seen the sending off back. I’m sure a few of the Cyprus players should maybe have got more.”

The three points rounded off a successful week for Chris Coleman’s side — having drawn 0-0 with Bosnia-Herzegovina three days earlier — as they attempt to become the first Wales team to qualify for a major tournament since 1958.

“We’ve all turned a corner. When we come away with Wales now everyone loves being there and it shows on the pitch,” Bale said. “Everyone is fighting for every ball together. That shows in the results we are getting. The minimum we wanted from these two games was four points.”

Meanwhile, former Wales international Ryan Giggs believes Bale could go on to become the greatest player their nation has ever had.

Manchester United assistant manager Giggs, who is one of the finest players the principality has ever produced and ranks as the most decorated, believes his compatriot is the match-winner who can end Wales’ 58-year absence from major tournaments by propelling them to Euro 2016.

And Giggs, who won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues as he made 963 appearances for United, feels that Bale’s performances at Real Madrid are showing he has taken his game to another level.

The 25-year-old became only the second Welsh player, after Ian Rush, to score in a European Cup or Champions League final when he found the net in Real’s 4-1 win over Atletico Madrid in May and has struck 14 times in 47 caps for his country.

“You don’t want to big him up too much but he’s looking like he can handle it all,” Giggs said, speaking at the Welsh Community Football Awards.

“He’s stepping up. He has to deliver at Real Madrid where the expectation is huge and the pressure is on and it’s showing in his performances for Wales that he can still deliver. It’s been a massive learning curve for him over the last season but he’s lived up to every expectation and more.

“Not only that, he’s a great lad who wants to get better and wants to be the best. And I think he could be the best we’ve had. He can be as good as he wants to be because he’s such an amazing talent. He can go all the way.”

Giggs, who scored 12 goals in 64 caps, is another of Wales’ greatest footballer but like their record goalscorer Rush and their most capped player, goalkeeper Neville Southall, he could never help them qualify for an international tournament.

Wales last played in one at the 1958 World Cup, when their squad featured Juventus’ John Charles, another candidate for the title of the outstanding player in their history.

And after Chris Coleman’s team took seven points from their first three games in Euro 2016 qualifying, Giggs is hopeful the current generation can end Wales’ long wait.

“With the points we have on board it’s a great start to go and achieve it,” he added.

“There’s a long way to go but there is great potential, with Bale leading the attack who is a world-class player who could walk into any team and is a match-winner.”

-espnfc