Coleman: “We’ve got to contain our excitement”
Wales manager Chris Coleman has urged his players to contain their excitement ahead of their crucial World Cup Qualifier against the Republic of Ireland.
Wales know that avoiding defeat against the Irish in Cardiff will see them through to next year’s World Cup in Russia- their first appearance at the finals since 1958.
And Coleman knows just how big these occasions can get, with the Republic still in contention to qualify themselves with a win.
“This is as big as anything we have been involved in,” Coleman said in his pre-match press conference. “But we have been here before and got that experience.
“We have always wanted to be in these big games - up until two years ago we hadn’t been anywhere near it.
“There will be a fantastic atmosphere; a full house. It’s going to be end-to-end.
“Both sets of players are quite similar - it is going to be exciting.”
Coleman was quick to separate his players from past stars, with the current group fresh from an impressive Euro 2016.
“1958 has nothing to do with these players,” he said. “This group has gone further than anyone else has gone before them.
“We are a small nation - it just so happens that we have got a very successful one.”
For the Irish, only a win will do in Cardiff, and manager Martin O’Neill says they will take the same approach as they the did last time they needed a win.
“We have put ourselves in the position that we have to win the game, so it is all to play for,” he said.
“I think the approach will be very similar to the one we had against Italy in Lille - I thought we played with a lot of determination.
“It compares very favourably with a lot of big matches we’ve played in- it’s the World Cup; as big as it gets.”
