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| Host Country: Qatar Appointment: November 20-December 18 Cover: Live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app. Day-to-day TV programs – Full coverage details |
Joe Allen believes Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey can rise to the occasion when Wales take on England who need a win to secure their unlikely progress to the World Cup knockout stages.
Wales must now beat England on Tuesday and hope the United States draw with Iran.
“Two incredible players – they are and have been for our country,” said Allen, who is fit to start against England.
“I don’t think there is anyone else in the team who has reached the heights of which they are capable.
“It’s a massive game coming up, they’re high caliber players and they always have been and I hope if any criticism comes their way they can respond to some of that criticism with a performance. first class.”
It is Wales’ first appearance at a World Cup for 64 years but, after months of preparation, their performance in Qatar has been a disappointment.
Lucky to get away with a draw in their opener against the United States, Robert Page’s men were terrible against Iran, repeating the mistakes they made against the United States and being largely surpassed by their adversaries.
Bale and Ramsey are two big names in Welsh football. Bale, Wales captain and all-time top scorer in men’s football, is widely regarded as the country’s greatest player, while Ramsey is not far behind in the rankings.
Against Iran, however, they produced two of their worst performances in international football and finished the game with the the lowest ratings of any Wales player by BBC Sport readers,.
If there was any semblance of positive news to come out of the loss to Iran, it was Allen’s return to midfield as a late substitute after a hamstring injury set him back. barred from entering since September.
“Mixed feelings about being proud to play for my country in a World Cup but a very disappointing performance and result,” said Allen, who confirmed he was now “ready to go” and fit to start against England. ‘England.
“We’re not where we hoped to be two games into the group stage. As for what went wrong, I don’t think there’s a single thing you can put your finger on.
“We’ve gone everywhere we could improve and so far it hasn’t accurately reflected what we are capable of.
“It was a real disappointment because we can offer so much more and we will definitely have to in the next game.”
Wales face an uphill battle as they aim to break out of their group, a feat achieved in the country’s three previous major tournaments.
In their only other World Cup appearance, in 1958, Wales reached the quarter-finals and at Euro 2016 and Euro 2020 they reached the semi-finals and round of 16 respectively .
If Page’s team wants to reach the second round in Qatar, they must beat England and hope that the United States and Iran will draw. Or if that draw does not materialize, Wales must beat England by four goals to continue at the expense of their neighbours.
Either way, Wales need to win against England, something they haven’t achieved since 1984.
“It’s not impossible,” Allen said. “It is a difficult task.
“It’s always uncomfortable when it’s not in your hands and you’re relying on certain things to unfold but, even if there’s still a chance, it’s very simple for us.
“We’re fully motivated, fully incentivized to pull out all the stops to get the win. So who knows? Hopefully there’s still a chance we can get out of this group.”
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