Wales - The long and winding road to France

First topic message reminder :

So here we are at the start of another campaign

Chris Coleman will no doubt be looking at star players in Aaron Ramsey and the most expensive signing ever in Gareth Bale along with other top flight players such as Joe Allen and Ashley Williams to see his team through. Wales also have two exciting youngsters in Jonathan Williams and 18 year old George Williams

The campaign starts on the 9th of September against Andorra away. This it is fair to say, is not only a game Wales have to win from a points perspective, but a loss or arguably even a draw would get the men in red off to a disastrous start which would effect the whole confidence and momentum of the campaign

The FAW have placed faith in Coleman as the man to lead Wales to our first major tournament in nearly 60 years

Can he do it...most will say a firm no. The is understandable...but with probably the strongest squad Wales have had since falling at the final hurdle for Euro 2004...the boys are hoping to give a good shot

Gorau Chwarae Cyd Chwarae

How were the mighty Belgium the second best side in the world Steffan?

The Saint wrote:How were the mighty Belgium the second best side in the world Steffan?

I agree with you completely that the rankings are a bit dodgy to say the least. Belgium did not look second best in the world

There is also no way that the mighty world beaters England are fifteenth best in the world

A good ranking means a good group though so its good news even if it is a bit fickle. I'm happy for the system to work to our advantage

Well there we go then. Engage your brain before following up my comments with dumb replies.

England, nevermind, there's always FIFA 15 for PS4 and Xbox where you're actually rated quite highly...

The Saint wrote:Well there we go then. Engage your brain before following up my comments with dumb replies

Sod off

banter

10th in the world!


Jimmy crack corn and I don't care!

Yes 10th in the world. Not bad for a nation of 3 million that doesn't even have a professional football league

Wales reach new Fifa rankings high of ninth place

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33799824

Wales have moved up one place in the latest Fifa rankings to a new high of ninth.
Chris Coleman's side are now above the Netherlands, who have dropped down to 12th.

England have also climbed a place to eighth, while Scotland are down three places to 32nd and Northern Ireland also drop by three to 40th.

Argentina remain in the number one spot, with Belgium back up to second and Germany in third.

Wales beat Belgium in a Euro 2016 qualifier in June, which resulted in a leap of 12 places in last month's rankings to reach the top 10 for the first time since they were introduced in 1993.

Cyprus will be Wales' next opponents on 3 September, with a home game against Israel to follow three days later.

Coleman's side are three points clear of Belgium with four games left in the qualifying campaign.

What have Belgium possibly done to be ranked second in the world? Or Romania 7th?

Joke of a system.

Duty281 wrote:What have Belgium possibly done to be ranked second in the world? Or Romania 7th?

Joke of a system.

Who cares? I don't as we are in the top 10

So are your lot so you should be happy

10 days to go Steff! If we win in Cyprus, I think we will top the group, as I am certain we will beat Israel and Andorra at home.

Adam D wrote:10 days to go Steff! If we win in Cyprus, I think we will top the group, as I am certain we will beat Israel and Andorra at home.

My brother and nephew are off to the Cyprus game as it goes and I'll be at the home games of course for Israel and Andorra. I would love us to finish unbeaten but I'll just be happy with any form of qualification. Should beat Andorra. I'll take a draw against Israel. Hard to imagine not getting full points against Cyprus away although its roasting over there this time of year

Just two days to go.

The odds look horrible for Wales (we are odds on). When have we ever been favourite away from home?

The day is upon us

Gorau Chwarae Cyd Chwarae

Wow, even I am getting excited by this now, I will be supporting Wales tonight. Does anybody know anything about Cyprus ? I know they had a team in the CL last season, Apoel Nicosea or something like that, are they going to be a threat to us out there ?

LordDowlais wrote:Wow, even I am getting excited by this now, I will be supporting Wales tonight. Does anybody know anything about Cyprus ? I know they had a team in the CL last season, Apoel Nicosea or something like that, are they going to be a threat to us out there ?

It's a really hot Greek island

All jokes aside I think the heat will be their advantage. I've been out there this time of year and its beyond

Other than that we should get the 3 points but I take nothing for guaranteed even though this Welsh side is awesome

Nicosia is where the game is at LD

I don't rate cyprus or isreal. After we've played them twice we were comfortable until andy king's red vs cyprus, and even then they were poor. Normally i would be cautious and say we can't underestimate them but we are by far a better team and have all the momentumn in the world. We should be aiming for the 2 wins because its done and dusted then. Think we'll win 2-0 tonight and then beat an average israel team on sunday!

Steffan wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Wow, even I am getting excited by this now, I will be supporting Wales tonight. Does anybody know anything about Cyprus ? I know they had a team in the CL last season, Apoel Nicosea or something like that, are they going to be a threat to us out there ?

It's a really hot Greek island

All jokes aside I think the heat will be their advantage. I've been out there this time of year and its beyond

Other than that we should get the 3 points but I take nothing for guaranteed even though this Welsh side is awesome

Nicosia is where the game is at LD

Steff, a couple of my mates who I play 5 a-side with are football nuts, they follow Cardiff FC everywhere. I spoke to one of them who is over there to watch this game and he told me it is 38 degrees over there. That will be a nightmare to play in, but at least it is at night time, and I suppose Gareth Bale is used to playing in these conditions with Madrid. Come on, if we can get a draw out in Belgium, a win in Israel, surely we can get a result in Cyprus.

I wouldn't be too worried by the heat. It may be 38 degrees during the afternoon, but the Cyprus-Wales game will be played at 21:45 local time, when the temperature is 24-26 degrees and is far more manageable.

Besides, look after the ball and the heat isn't a factor!

Glancing at the Cyprus squad, there isn't too much to worry about. One of their prominent defenders is a League one player, the rest are mostly local players.

Should be a comfortable win for Wales.

Ledley is out. Not the worst loss but would be nice to have him back for Sundays match

The game is being ruined by incompetent officiating.

That disallowed goal was a disgrace

Ref is not corrupt but seems very incompetent

Just hope Ramsey and Bale start to play better in the second half

Still 0-0? I was hoping Wales would wrap this up early. Then Northern Ireland can get a move on tomorrow too. Could have all four of us in there if we're lucky.

Yes!!!!!!!

One more win and Wales are there??

Well done on the win and the qualifiers so far.

westisbest wrote:One more win and Wales are there??

Well done on the win and the qualifiers so far.

Beat Israel and we are there. I'm off to the match and probably wont sleep now

In regards to the match tonight...stop doing this to me Wales but well done

Deserved win for the Welsh.

Pathetic refereeing nearly cost them two points.

Great result and now so close. Well done Welsh lads.

Madness!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34150058

Four years ago Wales were rated 117th in world football's Fifa rankings - but they could soon move up to second.
Following their 1-0 victory over Cyprus on Thursday in the Euro 2016 qualifiers, Wales are on the brink of reaching their first major tournament in 58 years.
And if results go their way they could move from ninth to above World Cup winners Germany and Brazil in October's rankings.
So how can Chris Coleman's side - once ranked below Azerbaijan and Guyana - rise further up the standings?
BBC Sport looks at how Wales could achieve it.

Beat Israel and go fourth

Beating Israel would take Wales above 1300 Fifa ranking points...
This is the (relatively) easy part of the equation for Wales.
If they can beat Israel on Sunday with a packed Cardiff City Stadium roaring them on, not only will they secure qualification for the Euros, they will also be guaranteed to be at least fourth when the next Fifa rankings come out.
This is because some of the teams above them - Colombia, Brazil, Portugal and Chile - are playing friendlies rather than competitive internationals, for which fewer points are on offer. Even if they win their games, they would drop below Chris Coleman's side.

...In which case, even two wins for Brazil would not be enough to stop Wales from overtaking them

Jump above Germany into third?

To break into the top three, Wales need other results to go their way.
Current third-placed team Germany can hold onto their spot if they win both their upcoming Euro qualifiers against Poland and Scotland.

A good result for Scotland at Hampden Park could help Wales to overtake Germany
But even a draw in one of those matches for Germany would send Wales up to third - provided they beat Israel.

Second in the world?

Wales have already beaten Belgium in Euro 2016 qualifying - now could they muscle them out of second place in the world rankings?
It could happen, Wales fans - but it requires Cyprus to do them a massive favour.
If the islanders can beat Belgium in Nicosia on Sunday night, then that - combined with the other results mentioned - would see Wales officially ranked the second-best football team in the world.

Wales can oust Belgium from second place if Marc Wilmots' team lose in Cyprus

Yeah I seen this and it is crazy but lets hope it happens hey

Enjoy the game steff!!

So jealous!

How's qualifying going? Just as well you didn't win. The fact a team who can only get 2-1 wins over Andorra and Cyprus, a 1-0 win over Cyrpus and 0-0 draws with Bosnia & Belgium can get so close to being 4th in the FIFA rankings show what a joke the rankings are.

Interesting need to antagonise there. Probably a good thing Steffan isnt around!

Fair play to Wales.

Not hating on Wales. Just the FIFA rankings system. Wales have been good but not 4th in the world good.

They've partly been helped in the draw becasue Belgium and Bosnia aren't as strong as the rankings said they were. Another country will be helped by the rankings when they draw Wales in a year or two.

Does anyone take notice of the rankings? Obviously yes, so stupid question.

Wales look odds on now. Can N Ireland join the party?

England, already qualified, Wales on the verge, think N Ireland will join them.

Hopefully Scotland wont be there, as obviously hoping ROI make it.

I really hope whichever one of scotland or Ireland finishes third goes on to get through the playoff. Odd format now but would still be special with 4 from around these shores there

CFCNick wrote:How's qualifying going? Just as well you didn't win. The fact a team who can only get 2-1 wins over Andorra and Cyprus, a 1-0 win over Cyrpus and 0-0 draws with Bosnia & Belgium can get so close to being 4th in the FIFA rankings show what a joke the rankings are.

Qualifying is going well thanks. Well only need a point to make it to France 2016. Lets just hope we get it hey. Not sure why you are happy we didn't win. Thought you England fans wanted all the home nations to do well. Well that's what I have been told by you all for the last 25 years. Clearly not though...

As for the rankings...take your annoyance up with FIFA and don't blame us. We don't make up the rules even if the rankings are a "joke"

Bitterness from other nations aside and back to the football...

I was at the match and despite pretty much dominating the whole game we didn't quite get the winning goal. If we can't get a point against Andorra after all the hard work then we don't deserve to be at Euro 2016

Bosnia away will not be easy but I still think our awesome defence who are the ones who got us in this great position will hold out and we should be good enough to get the draw if not get a cheeky win

45 minutes left to secure a place in France 2016...

Bosnia 1-0 Wales, but Israel are losing

Doesn't really matter if Wales lose, they have a guaranteed three points against Andorra coming up.

Needless to say I am looking forward to tonight's final Euro 2016 qualifying game...and its quite surreal that we that we are playing Andorra. Who would have thought that 11 months ago when we went down 1-0 to them away in the first match that we would be here now tonight already qualified

Also...in November 2011 we lost our manager under the most horrible circumstances possible...and who would have thought back then we would be going to France 2016. Its been a hard fought 4 years with many ups and downs...but guess what Wales....We did it






Regards

Steffan

Is it time yet?

Jimmy Moz wrote:
Like I say I wouldn't take it personally as the case has always been that England dislike everyone else in the British Isles and everyone else dislikes them. Lets hope Wales and the Republic of Ireland can have a successful campaign hey and wipe the smiles of their faces. Good luck in your next game. J

I think the smiles were wiped off... Remember Iceland . A 2 all draw with Austria away, not bad. The long and winding road to Russia - Wales are coming .