Wales’ win over Russian Federation is one of my greatest nights: Bale

PARIS (AP) – In five transformational years, Wales and Northern Ireland have gone from playing in front of 529 fans to preparing for a British derby in the 45,000-capacity Parc des Princes in Paris.

Talisman Gareth Bale grabbed Wales’ third of the night and his third of the tournament with a delicious toe flick midway through the second-half to cement the win, which could have seen a much larger scoreline but for the gloves of Russia’s Akinfeev.

We’ve come through a massive journey. We’re happy, it’s a hard game but one we think we can win.

Wales will now have to sit and wait for the rest of the groups to be concluded before discovering their opponents in the round of 16 and Bale insisted that he has not yet thought about their next match.

Wales – who played in red after “home” team Russian Federation agreed to change to their white strip – might now be labelled favourites to make the quarterfinal stage.

“It’s going to be a tough game, they’ve got some world-class players but with our heart and determination we honestly believe that we can go on and beat anyone”.

It is a remarkable achievement and for one of Wales and Northern Ireland – both appearing in the European championship finals for the first time – it is guaranteed to continue for at least another week after the two were paired in the round of 16.

“He understands the help he gets around him from his teammates, he enjoys the style of play we’ve implemented”.

“Now you are seeing a positionally more aware Aaron Ramsey in global football against top teams – if he’s out of position, he knows the consequences are great”.

“Given the pressure of the game that was one of the best team performances I have ever been a part of”.

They have gone eight encounters without defeat since a 1-0 loss in Cardiff in May 1980, although Coleman’s side required an 89th-minute penalty from Simon Church to rescue a 1-1 draw when the teams last met in March.

“If you’re going to have a haircut that will shock people – and it did – you have to have a bit of confidence because you know you are going to be in the spotlight”, said the Wales boss.

Wales are likely to take the initiative in Saturday’s game with Northern Ireland shutting up shop at the back to rely on their trademark, counter-attacking tactics.

“They’ve been great through qualifying and coming out to the tournament and helping us get to where we are”.

“It is a moral victory for us”. We can only concentrate on ourselves and when we do that we know we perform well and that goes for everyone, including the fans. I’ve not experienced the bad times that some of the lads have been through, but I’m well aware of the hard stages that they’ve had.