By Kasey Rees
The eyes of the world will be watching as Wales take on Ukraine in the World Cup play-off final at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday evening in a bid to secure a place in Qatar in November.
It is set to be an emotional night for both teams, as Wales will be on the hunt to end decades of hurt after missing out on previous World Cups since 1958.
Meanwhile, Ukraine will also be vying for a place in their second finals – their first was in 2006 – after three months of war with Russia, so it will be an inspirational occasion for the country should they qualify.
But Wales centre back Ethan Ampadu believes that emotions must be put aside to focus on the task at hand.
He said: “We all understand and know the situation, all our thoughts and prayers go to them and people associated with Ukraine.
“But when the game comes on Sunday, they, like us, are going to focus on it as a game of football. Both teams have to make sure that we are prepared well.
“Ukraine are a good team and we are fully aware of what they can do.”
Wales last qualified for the World Cup 64 years ago after a 2-1 win against Israel at Ninian Park in Cardiff, while Ukraine last qualified 16 years ago in Germany.
🏴 pic.twitter.com/ux5kCINo2D
— Ethan Ampadu (@ethanamp26) May 26, 2022
Now, after heart-breaking near misses like the 1994 campaign, Wales and their manager Rob Page stand 90 minutes away from qualification.
Page and Ampadu believe the atmosphere inside the Cardiff City Stadium will play a major part with the Red Wall of fans behind them like never before.
Ampadu added: “I don’t think you can get caught up in what the game could mean, as you could miss out on the actual game itself.
“Hopefully, we can do our job and then maybe think about that after. We need to think of it as a game of football, as it is.”
The 21-year-old has plenty of international experience already, especially in crucial matches having been part of the Euro 2020 squad who reached the last 16 in the delayed finals played a year ago.
He was also part of the squad that eventually lost 1-0 to the Republic of Ireland in 2017, denying Wales progress to the qualifying play-offs for the 2018 World Cup.
Since making his debut at the age of 16 in 2017, the youngster has certainly faced a lot of tough opponents along the way and has learned a lot about them.
The defender has faced plenty of ups and downs and has talking about his time in Italy, on loan at Venezia from Chelsea, he said: “I learned a lot from that. Everyone speaks about the defensive side and tactics side and there is that.
“In every league everyone focuses on defending and tactics, but they way they may go about it is more in depth, which helps, being a defensive-player. I have learned a lot.”
World Cup: Wales take on Ukraine to secure place in Qatar – and know the world will be willing their opponents on https://t.co/HNzm98D84Q
— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 4, 2022
Wales are currently unbeaten at Cardiff City Stadium having drawn their previous two matches in Cardiff against the Czech Republic and Estonia.
Ukraine thumped Scotland 3-1 at Hampden Park to reach the final while it was goals from Welsh captain Gareth Bale against Austria that ensured Wales reach this point and he could make all the difference on Sunday.
Should Wales qualify for the final spot in Group B, England, Iran and USA await them. Ampadu is relishing the opportunity to potentially qualify for the World Cup and achieve his dream.
He added: “We all dream of playing in a World cup, and we want to make it happen. That game [Ireland] we were so close and we want to change that.”
Fans are expected to arrive at the stadium early to allow time to get through enhanced security checks, the match kicks off at 5pm, with it broadcast on Sky Sports, ITV and S4C.
Gareth Bale says he would make no apology to war-torn Ukrainians were Wales to deny them their World Cup dream, and suggested that his future does not rest on the outcome of Sunday’s play-off final.
Bale, who says he has had “loads” of offers since his nine-year stay at Real Madrid came to an end, knows the emotion that Ukraine will bring into the Cardiff clash given what is happening in their homeland.
Ukraine has now been at war for over 100 days since Russia invaded its territory in February, with horrific stories unfolding each day from the frontline.
Manager Oleksandr Petrakov has revealed a Ukrainian flag from the battleground will hang in their dressing room for tomorrow’s World Cup play-off final against Wales – by @philblanchehttps://t.co/BkXqFb9kP3
— PA Dugout (@PAdugout) June 4, 2022
Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko has spoken of his dream of reaching the World Cup in Qatar later this year and giving the Ukrainian people some richly-deserved feelings of pride and happiness.
But Wales captain Bale, while expressing sympathy for Ukrainians’ plight, insisted that securing the Dragons’ first appearance at a World Cup for 64 years was the only thing focusing Welsh minds.
Asked if he would apologise to Ukraine if Wales ended their World Cup hopes, Bale said: “As horrible as it sounds, no. As it is a game of football and it is a competition that we want to get to as well.
“Everyone in the world feels for Ukraine. It is sport that unites everybody.
“We understand what it will do for Ukraine, but we want to get to the World Cup.
“That is not coming from a horrible place. It is coming from our country and hearts as we want to deliver for our own fans.”
Told that Ukraine – who beat Scotland 3-1 at Hampden Park on Wednesday to book their final place – could count on support from around the world, Bale replied: “We’ll be the most popular team in the stadium, that’s the main thing.
“We understand the awful things going on in Ukraine. Our hearts go out to the kids, families and people of Ukraine.
“We’ve all felt awful during this time and not been able to do too much. But come Sunday, it’s a game of football. We want to win.
Wales manager Rob Page says he feels huge sympathy for Ukraine and their people but “it’s business, now” ahead of World Cup play off final tomorrow.
More on @SkySportsNews pic.twitter.com/9PVpP2WZk4— Graham Thomas (@Graham_Thomas) June 4, 2022
“It’s difficult to say whether it’s ‘the’ big game (of his career), we played in a semi-final of a European Championship.
“But it’s a massive game. There’s no hiding it. We’ve only ever played in one World Cup. This is a stepping stone onto the biggest level and we’re desperate to win to achieve our goal.
“Everyone wants to play at a World Cup. It’s no different for me – it is missing (on his CV) – or for every member of the squad and coaching staff.”
Bale’s future remains uncertain for now with retirement being touted as one option should Wales’ World Cup dream perish.
The 32-year-old has also been linked with hometown club Cardiff, former team Tottenham and Newcastle, as well as the MLS in the United States.
Asked if his future rested on the outcome of the play-off final, Bale, who last week became the first British player to win the Champions League on five occasions, replied: “Not necessarily, no.
“I’ve said many times that I’m not concentrating on what lies ahead in the future.
“All my focus is on this massive game and I really don’t need to think or worry about anything else.”
“In the current circumstances, it’s more important than ever”
Ukrainian Football Journalist, Andrew Todos outlines just how important Ukraine’s World Cup Playoff final against Wales is for the country. pic.twitter.com/TQo9pAmZwY
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 4, 2022
Invited to say if had a ‘stack’ of offers on the table, Bale replied with a smile: “I’ve got loads!”
Wales manager Robert Page, who confirmed that Bournemouth forward David Brooks would join up with the camp after being given the all clear following cancer treatment, insisted Wales could not dwell on the situation in Ukraine.
He said: “The message pre-camp was, if we could take away what they’re going through, we would in a heartbeat.
“Now, this is business and that’s it. This is an opportunity for Wales to qualify for Wales and full focus is on that.
“I’ll sleep well tonight because I trust in the players. When you’ve got the quality that we’ve got in that changing room, then you trust in that.”
