Few Wales players felt as frustrated as Joe Allen in the wake of their defeat by Iran - but the midfielder intends to use his “hurt” against England.
It was the popular veteran midfielder’s first appearance since injuring his hamstring in September for Swansea against Hull in the Championship. The injury plunged Allen’s participation in Wales’ historic first World Cup since 1958 into doubt.
Yet the star, 32, who has 73 caps, worked tirelessly to make sure he was fit enough to get on the plane with Rob Page’s squad to Qatar. And there he found himself in stoppage time against Iran, after coming on as substitute, closing down Rouzbeh Cheshmi desperately after his poor clearance fell invitingly for the opponent.
Despite his efforts, he was powerless to prevent Cheshmi’s screamer finding the corner from outside the box as Iran broke the deadlock in stoppage time before Ramin Rezaeian sealed the 2-0 win. It has left Wales bottom of Group B needing victory over England for the first time since 1984 to give them any chance of reaching the last 16 after the opening draw with USA, which Allen sat out.
Allen reflected: “I don’t think it was anger, just frustration that nine times out of 10 we give a better account of ourselves than we’ve done so far. There was frustration and hurt that we haven’t done that.
“I have mixed feelings in terms of the pride of playing for my country in a World Cup but a very disappointing performance and result. We’re not where we hoped to be two games into the group stage.
“We’ve gone through everywhere we can improve and so far it’s not been a fair reflection of what we’re capable of. That’s been a real disappointment because we can offer so much more and we will certainly have to do that in the next game.
“But the team spirit is still great and that will play a big role if we are going to go out and get the win we need. As players, we have the responsibility and accountability and we haven’t done it yet.”
After getting injured on September 17, Allen had a major battle to be fit for Qatar as Page gave him until the last minute to make the squad. Swans boss Russell Martin enabled Allen to do a lot of his rehabilitation with Matt Konopinski in Liverpool as well as working with the Football Association of Wales’ lead physio, Sean Connolly.
Allen added: “We threw everything at it. The World Cup is the pinnacle. But, truth be told, it’s the traditional work on the pitch and in the gym that makes it happen. That’s where the main focus was and it was certainly fast-tracked, but we had the right expertise and little bit of luck to get myself ready.
“Until the squad is officially announced, there’s always that lingering doubt, but the manager set my mind at rest. He said I’d be in even if I wasn’t ready for the first minute of the first game and that allowed me to focus on the latter stages of my rehab.”
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Now, Allen and all of Wales’ squad must dig deep again to produce their best display in Qatar if they are to have any chance of beating England to get out of the group. It is foremost in their minds but they paused before training yesterday to take part in a minute’s silence to mark the 11th anniversary of Gary Speed’s shock death while Wales boss.
Speed remains credited with sparking the renaissance in Welsh football which led to successive appearances at the Euros, including a famous run to the last four in 2016. Allen added: “Gary was a great man, he’s often in the players' thoughts.
“He was an inspiration for his performances as a player and as a manager. He has played a big part in the journey this team has been through and we remember him very fondly.”
