Rob Page admits Wales potentially facing England at the World Cup is “tasty” and reckons he is already getting grief over it.
Wales, whose only World Cup appearance was in 1958, were in the hat for the draw after beating Austria last week in their play-off semi-final. They are now waiting to play either Scotland or Ukraine in June for a place at Qatar. Page stresses the full focus is on that play-off final when Wales have home advantage in Cardiff.
But the Yorkshire-based boss admits it is natural to reflect on the draw and a potential Group B place alongside England, Iran and USA. Page said: “I live in Sheffield and was sat with some England supporters. It was quite tasty when the draw was made. It is a mouth-watering tie but we are not counting our chickens until they’re hatched.
“Our full focus is on qualifying and we need to concentrate on that first but it is exciting for all of us to be a part of it and see what could be and the challenges ahead. It is a good group, we will fancy our chances. We showed in this last week in the build up for the Austria game that we are capable of stripping all the emotions away from it and focusing on the job in hand.
“We have to do that now in the build up to this game in June. The approach will be the same. We have waited years and years for this opportunity. There will be no stone left unturned. We will throw everything at this opportunity we have been given - 1958 is a long time to wait.
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“We have put ourselves in a wonderful position. Our supporters are getting excited and rightly so, but we have one more massive effort left.” Wales’ record scorer and captain Gareth Bale scored twice against Austria to leave the nation one game away from the finals.
The star, whose contract is up at Real Madrid this summer, is desperate to make it and could even retire this summer if Wales fail to get to Qatar. Page is now eager to learn when their play-off final will take place after Ukraine’s semi-final with Scotland was pushed back from last month to June following Russia ’s appalling invasion.
Page added: “First and foremost we are sympathetic to what the Ukrainian people are going through, it is horrendous. UEFA will make that decision when they see fit. I would like to think in the next week we will definitely hear. We are hoping it is the beginning part of June. As to what date, we are not sure exactly.”
