Wales v Slovakia Match of the Day Live


Wales v Slovakia

Similar Content

Browse content similar to Wales v Slovakia. Check below for episodes and series from the same categories and more!

Transcript


LineFromTo

It is 58 years since Wales last featured in a major tournament, but

:01:06.:01:09.

that long wait is about to come to an end in just under one are's time

:01:10.:01:12.

when Chris Coleman's sidekick off Slovakia.

:01:13.:01:19.

It could be quite a party down in Bordeaux. -- one hour's time. Let's

:01:20.:01:35.

enjoy the ride. Together, stronger. Come on, Wales. Chris Coleman's men

:01:36.:01:43.

have freed Wales from the shackles of their history. Have a century of

:01:44.:01:48.

heartache and last gasp failure. Now they know. Now they have done it.

:01:49.:02:36.

MUSC: "Together Stronger (C'mon Wales)" by Manic Street Preachers.

:02:37.:03:06.

Gareth Bale strikes again. Wales have arrived at the Stade de

:03:07.:03:17.

Bordeaux. The likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey have achieved

:03:18.:03:21.

something that proved beyond legends like Marcus, Ian Rush and Ryan

:03:22.:03:26.

Giggs. It has been some journeys since Wales's first and until now

:03:27.:03:30.

only appearance at a major tournament. The 1958 World Cup. Long

:03:31.:03:40.

before a Gareth Bale and the class of 2016, the hopes of Wales rested

:03:41.:03:43.

on the shoulders of another superstar.

:03:44.:03:54.

# Some people say that man is made out of the mud.

:03:55.:04:04.

John Charles was a superstar of world football, and the shining

:04:05.:04:12.

light of the Welsh football team. In 1958, spirits were at an all-time

:04:13.:04:17.

high. Wales were on their way to their first-ever major football

:04:18.:04:24.

tournament, the World in Sweden. -- World Cup.

:04:25.:04:35.

After drawing game against Hungary, Mexico and Sweden in the group

:04:36.:04:41.

stages, Wales beat hungry again in a play-off. -- Hungary. They had made

:04:42.:04:47.

it to the quarterfinals of the World Cup. They would face Brazil, but

:04:48.:04:53.

would have to do it without John Charles, who was injured. They are

:04:54.:04:58.

without John Charles. If that is not enough, they face the favourites,

:04:59.:05:03.

Brazil. What's more, Brazil were about to unleash their own

:05:04.:05:11.

superstar. Pele. We are making a change in the programme note to

:05:12.:05:15.

bring you News of the World Cup game between Wales and Brazil. Wales were

:05:16.:05:20.

not given a chance but fought all the way. It was a close match, but

:05:21.:05:25.

the Brazilian superstar proved to be the difference, scoring the only

:05:26.:05:32.

goal of the game. All credit to gallant Wales for holding Brazil to

:05:33.:05:41.

a single goal. Wales are out of the World Cup competition but they can

:05:42.:05:45.

go home with their heads held high. Wales were heroes, they had made it

:05:46.:05:49.

to the quarterfinals of the World Cup. It should have been the start

:05:50.:05:58.

of something. Was not. Years would pass, major competitions would come

:05:59.:06:04.

and go. A man would go to the moon. A man would have enough of the men.

:06:05.:06:09.

The years just kept rolling. Tournament after tournament would

:06:10.:06:16.

completely passed Wales by. Goal kick. In 1974, Wales would finally

:06:17.:06:22.

start to improve under a new manager, former schoolteacher Mike

:06:23.:06:30.

Smith. In just two years, Smith took Wales from qualification no hopers

:06:31.:06:34.

to the brink of the European finals. Just listen to this atmosphere. It

:06:35.:06:40.

is probably the most important match that Wales have played since their

:06:41.:06:44.

final appearance in the 1958 World Cup. In the game against use larger

:06:45.:06:51.

-- in the game against Yugoslavia, it came down to one moment. He's

:06:52.:07:01.

doing supremely well. A penalty was awarded to Wales and the

:07:02.:07:04.

responsibility fell to their captain, Terry Yoda. I thought,

:07:05.:07:07.

you're the captain, you will have to take it. I have never taken a

:07:08.:07:13.

penalty in my life before. I swear, my knees were knocking. It is saved.

:07:14.:07:23.

The captain wants the ground to open up. Surely that no tolls the bell

:07:24.:07:37.

for Welsh chances. It was the closest Wales could come to a major

:07:38.:07:42.

tournament since 1958. What they had giving the fans hope and the next

:07:43.:07:46.

year something bigger was up for grabs, a place at the 1978 World Cup

:07:47.:07:55.

in Argentina. Playing at Anfield, Wales had to beat Scotland to

:07:56.:07:58.

qualify, and once again, the captain would lead the team. A chance for

:07:59.:08:08.

Wales. Unlucky. Wales were giving it everything. John Toshack, and nice

:08:09.:08:15.

touch, chance for the captain to shoot. It is blocked. John Toshack,

:08:16.:08:24.

unlucky. The match still remained level as it drew to a close. Claims

:08:25.:08:31.

for handball. A penalty has been given. There is a hand up, I do not

:08:32.:08:42.

know why. There it is. One could almost say that was a Scottish hand.

:08:43.:08:49.

Davies to save the day for Wales. No problem. Lifted by the penalty,

:08:50.:08:57.

Scotland quickly scored and Welsh dreams of a World Cup were over. A

:08:58.:09:03.

chance to put one in early. Kenny Dalglish with the goal. Two years,

:09:04.:09:09.

two penalties. Wales where out again. Scotland will definitely go

:09:10.:09:15.

to the World Cup finals in Argentina next year. Terry, I do not think I

:09:16.:09:21.

have ever seen Wales play better than that. We played very well. We

:09:22.:09:27.

are sick. There have been a few tears in the dressing room. I cannot

:09:28.:09:33.

say any more. Sick myself. In 1985, Wales would play Scotland again in

:09:34.:09:39.

another crucial World Cup qualifier. Again, penalty, and again, three

:09:40.:09:47.

familiar words. But this time, the game would be remembered for

:09:48.:09:52.

something more serious. Scotland manager Jock Stein collapsed at the

:09:53.:09:55.

end of the match and later died of a heart attack.

:09:56.:10:11.

The road to next year's World Cup finals is completed on Wednesday

:10:12.:10:18.

with the last 12 qualifying matches taking place. Wales, under the

:10:19.:10:22.

guidance of their captain, will be going to the States if the

:10:23.:10:27.

Beatlemania in Wales. No medical required, just a need for self

:10:28.:10:34.

belief. It is the captain's 100 match for Wales as a player and

:10:35.:10:41.

manager. It will all come right. Inside again. It opens up for him.

:10:42.:10:49.

It has gone through. That is a good one. That was in by Dean Saunders.

:10:50.:11:05.

1-1. 1-1, one more goal needed. It is all alive again at the National

:11:06.:11:13.

Stadium. Gary Speed, was he held? Yes, penalty.

:11:14.:11:26.

He has hit the crossbar. Such opportunities cannot be spurned. It

:11:27.:11:36.

is so cruel, it had to be taken, but it was not. The nightmare was back.

:11:37.:11:44.

Marcus had been one of Wales most experienced players, but this was

:11:45.:11:50.

his first job as a manager. From my point of view, it was easier for me.

:11:51.:11:55.

I was coming in at the time when we were at a low point. I was trying to

:11:56.:11:59.

make people be positive and feel like there was a way forward. That

:12:00.:12:04.

was my approach. It was a work in progress. In the first two years and

:12:05.:12:12.

Marcus, Wales only won the game, but crucially, he had the belief of his

:12:13.:12:19.

players. I will say this very slowly, Wales two, Italy one. It is

:12:20.:12:26.

not something I can say very often, so I will say it again. Wales went

:12:27.:12:31.

on to finish second in their group and secured a play-off with Russia.

:12:32.:12:37.

The header, delight the Russians. Wales last. Dreams of Euro 2004 were

:12:38.:12:51.

over. Wales fans had spent nearly 50 years on watching their team miss

:12:52.:12:54.

out on competing on the biggest stage. It had become the Wales

:12:55.:13:02.

experience. Gary Speed had been a mainstay of the Wales football team

:13:03.:13:05.

for 14 years as a player and captain. In 2010, he became manager,

:13:06.:13:13.

and took over a squad of young players. They had been through two

:13:14.:13:20.

qualifying campaigns under John Toshack, but were still nowhere near

:13:21.:13:27.

a major tournament. Morale was low. Gary Speed has really stuck with his

:13:28.:13:30.

plan of trying to change the way that Wales play football, involving

:13:31.:13:34.

the skill of Gareth Bale. We are beginning to see they can play a

:13:35.:13:38.

different style of football. It is difficult for him, he has a young

:13:39.:13:43.

set of players and that is hard at club level. On the international

:13:44.:13:49.

scene, it is even more difficult. They smack would finish their first

:13:50.:13:52.

year under Gary Speed by thrashing Norway at the Cardiff City Stadium.

:13:53.:13:56.

We have had ten games and we knew it would take time, but we have

:13:57.:14:01.

probably, further than I thought in the year. I am really pleased. The

:14:02.:14:08.

Norway match would prove to be Gary Speed's final game with Wales.

:14:09.:14:18.

For somebody so ridged with life, in fairness, he was very gregarious,

:14:19.:14:25.

everyone liked to be in his company. He was a leader of men as well. He

:14:26.:14:36.

was just a great guy to be around. And the late Gary Speed will be in

:14:37.:14:41.

many people's minds today. What the job Chris Coleman has done with this

:14:42.:14:46.

squad since taking over in the most testing of circumstances. A momentum

:14:47.:14:52.

stay for Welsh football. In the studio, we welcome Rio Ferdinand,

:14:53.:14:55.

Allen Shearer, who played with Coleman at Blackburn, and the man

:14:56.:14:59.

who represented Wales 70 times, Dean Saunders. It is a special day for

:15:00.:15:04.

Welsh football. It is. We have waited a long time for this. We are

:15:05.:15:14.

a rugby nation, and that comes first, but we are just pleased to be

:15:15.:15:17.

here to start with. Brilliant to be involved. I never got there as a

:15:18.:15:19.

player, and then assistant manager. So thank you for inviting me. You

:15:20.:15:25.

have made it, you're close. How are you feeling? Is the nation tends?

:15:26.:15:32.

If we could win this first game... We always said, thinking back, if

:15:33.:15:39.

Gareth Bale is fit, we have a chance. Thankfully we're here today

:15:40.:15:43.

and he's fit. People talk about Gareth Bale all the time but he kind

:15:44.:15:49.

of steered them through the qualifying campaign where Wales

:15:50.:15:52.

performed so well, didn't they? Yes, they were fantastic. They were a

:15:53.:15:57.

hard team to beat, a really strong unit, really set themselves up with

:15:58.:16:02.

a strong defensive solidity, led by Ashley Williams at the back. He was

:16:03.:16:05.

the mainstay for them. When you've got someone like Gareth Bale in your

:16:06.:16:10.

team who is their star man, you can say get the ball to someone like

:16:11.:16:16.

him. Give it to Gareth Delve Chris Coleman, you know him well, you

:16:17.:16:20.

played with him at Blackburn, he's a big personality, quite a character?

:16:21.:16:28.

He is come he's a great character. Very dogged, very determined. When

:16:29.:16:32.

he took over in very testing circumstances because of what

:16:33.:16:35.

happened to the late Gary Speed, he lost nine of his first 13 games as

:16:36.:16:41.

manager. It tells you a lot about who he is and what he is that he is

:16:42.:16:45.

able to come through this group and get them to where they are now. But

:16:46.:16:51.

then just here to enjoy it, there's no point in entering the competition

:16:52.:16:54.

if they don't believe they can win it. He will believe he can take this

:16:55.:16:59.

team further. How tough was it for Chris Coleman to come in under those

:17:00.:17:03.

circumstances? Really tough because Gary took over from John Toshack, he

:17:04.:17:08.

had a lot of young players, decided to play the way he wanted to play

:17:09.:17:13.

which was playing football from the back, progressive football up the

:17:14.:17:17.

pitch. The whole nation got a massive blow losing Gary at his age

:17:18.:17:22.

and he had just got the team winning. I think they had won five

:17:23.:17:27.

out of their last five. Chris takes over, decides not to change

:17:28.:17:31.

anything. Because the players liked Gary. That was his biggest problem

:17:32.:17:36.

he had to bite his lip at times for his own principles, because we all

:17:37.:17:40.

think differently, and he lost nine games out of 13. He said in the end,

:17:41.:17:44.

if I don't do something, I'm going to get sacked. So I'm going to go

:17:45.:17:49.

back to what I want to do. So he set the team up to defend. And we've got

:17:50.:17:53.

some ammunition on the break and it has worked. It certainly has. This

:17:54.:17:59.

is a tough game, Slovakia. They beat Germany just a couple of weeks ago

:18:00.:18:03.

in a friendly and they beat Spain in qualifying and they've got some good

:18:04.:18:08.

players. They've got their talisman, Marek Hamsik as well. They're very

:18:09.:18:15.

comfortable defending. They're very comfortable defending but they

:18:16.:18:19.

haven't got a Gareth Bale, they've got someone like Hamsik, who is a

:18:20.:18:24.

creator. One of the top three creators in the Italian league last

:18:25.:18:31.

season alongside Paul Pogba and Pjanic. But they don't have someone

:18:32.:18:35.

to put the ball in the back of the net and that is their big problem.

:18:36.:18:40.

The previous meetings produced 13 goals. It finished 5-1 to Slovakia

:18:41.:18:49.

in Cardiff and 5-2 to Wales in Slovakia. Neutral territory today

:18:50.:18:52.

for Chris Coleman. It has been a long wait for these players. How is

:18:53.:18:57.

everyone, coming into this match? Yeah, we're obviously very excited.

:18:58.:19:02.

This is what we've always wanted. You can feel the tension and the

:19:03.:19:09.

excitement and the anxiety because it's such a big deal for us, you

:19:10.:19:14.

know? We've waited so long to be at a major tournament and now we're

:19:15.:19:17.

here in such an unbelievable stadium, playing against a top team

:19:18.:19:22.

in Slovakia. We will have something like 25,000 people who have

:19:23.:19:24.

travelled to Bordeaux from Wales to support their team and their

:19:25.:19:27.

country. It's a fantastic feeling, I can't describe to you how proud we

:19:28.:19:32.

are and we're looking forward to this challenge coming up. It's a sea

:19:33.:19:36.

of red out in Bordeaux today and this, how important Willie Beefy

:19:37.:19:44.

your players to block out the atmosphere? I actually tell them to

:19:45.:19:47.

take a look around and see the Welsh boys, the fans who follow us

:19:48.:19:53.

everywhere. We have taken incredible support again today. I want our

:19:54.:19:56.

players to take a deep breath and breathe it in because they've made

:19:57.:20:00.

it happen. If you can't enjoy something like this, you're in the

:20:01.:20:04.

wrong industry. Thank you very much Chris. This is the first of five

:20:05.:20:10.

games to be played in Bordeaux. Around 360 miles south of Paris. The

:20:11.:20:16.

42,000 capacity stadium cost ?140 million and was opened last year. It

:20:17.:20:22.

was built by the architects hind Munich's Allianz Arena. It is

:20:23.:20:30.

designed to resemble the pine trees of the nearby forest. Let's take a

:20:31.:20:31.

look at how the two teams line up. -- goalkeeper Matus Kozacik played

:20:32.:20:59.

in every minute of qualifying. Duris plays up front on his own. Let's

:21:00.:21:06.

look at the Welsh starting line-up. Wayne Hennessey has suffered a back

:21:07.:21:11.

spasm, sadly, so Liverpool youngster Danny Ward makes his first start for

:21:12.:21:15.

his country. What a day to make your debut. Ashley Williams marshals a

:21:16.:21:19.

three-man defence that conceded just four times in qualifying. Dave

:21:20.:21:24.

Edwards of wolves is selected in midfield. Joe Ledley is not yet fit

:21:25.:21:30.

to start. Up front of course, Gareth Bale, and he will have a free role,

:21:31.:21:34.

Jonny Williams playing just around him. What do you think too that

:21:35.:21:41.

starting line-up, Alan? One or two surprises in there. Yeah, I think

:21:42.:21:47.

Williams will be behind him and Ramsey will be asked to get up to

:21:48.:21:51.

support him as well. They will just say to Gareth Bale, forget about

:21:52.:21:55.

going back and defending, do your work up front, we will the ball to

:21:56.:22:00.

you as much as possible. You basically got a free role, go and

:22:01.:22:04.

show everyone what you can do. A massive blow for Wayne Hennessey,

:22:05.:22:07.

wakes up with a back spasm and can't play. I'm pleased for Danny Ward.

:22:08.:22:15.

I've worked with both players, I was at Wolves with Wayne and he did his

:22:16.:22:19.

cruciate ligament, came back and it went again. He's just got back

:22:20.:22:23.

playing. Welshman through and through. He will be absolutely

:22:24.:22:28.

devastated. It's probably one of them, you go to bed, wake up in the

:22:29.:22:31.

morning and you're back has gone. Yeah, I've been there. Young Danny

:22:32.:22:37.

Ward... Tell us about him. Can he handle this? He can carry yeah. I

:22:38.:22:43.

had to tell him to stop swearing in youth games! He talks, it was wrong

:22:44.:22:48.

swearing but at least he talks, that's what you need is a

:22:49.:22:52.

goalkeeper! He's super-confident, he was in the youth team at Wrexham

:22:53.:22:56.

when I was there and we ended up selling him to Liverpool. We got

:22:57.:23:03.

some sell-ons. So the board of directors will be like that today!

:23:04.:23:07.

If he plays today he will get another bonus. When you look at that

:23:08.:23:13.

Wales team, they're not a big team, they've got Williams at centre half

:23:14.:23:17.

but they would look for Hennessy to come and dominate and catch and take

:23:18.:23:20.

crosses as much as they can. We'll ward automatically do that? -- will

:23:21.:23:28.

Danny Ward do that? You're right, we've just started conceding a view

:23:29.:23:32.

from set plays in the build-up to this tournament which is a bit of a

:23:33.:23:36.

worry. Danny is about six foot three but he comes to things and he will

:23:37.:23:39.

shout and he will talk and he's great with his feet. I wouldn't take

:23:40.:23:43.

too much into the games leading up to this tournament because

:23:44.:23:49.

fortunately I know a few of the players through the company that

:23:50.:23:53.

manage me, and speaking to them, I sensed a bit of apprehension in

:23:54.:23:56.

those games, maybe worrying about contact with players for fear that

:23:57.:24:03.

they might miss a tournament. This is their first tournament, these

:24:04.:24:05.

guys are really nervous about adding injured, getting into action with

:24:06.:24:14.

any other player they're playing. I agree with you, that's why I never

:24:15.:24:19.

scored in the build up to Euro 96, they were all friendlies. Two years,

:24:20.:24:28.

and they gave you a CBE! They will be thinking I can't miss this

:24:29.:24:32.

through the last minute. Dave Edwards in for Andy King, that's a

:24:33.:24:36.

bit of a surprise? Yes but we mentioned before, Hamsik, he is

:24:37.:24:41.

their danger man. He gets a lot of goals from running on the edge of

:24:42.:24:46.

the box so Dave Edwards will be approach rolling around that area to

:24:47.:24:49.

make sure he doesn't get those opportunities. That is key, he needs

:24:50.:24:55.

to be there with that defensive mindset to stop anything getting

:24:56.:25:00.

through to him. Time to hear from a man representing Wales for a first

:25:01.:25:05.

time at a major tournament. Sadly for him, it's as co-commentator.

:25:06.:25:11.

Jason Mohammad is with Robbie Savage.

:25:12.:25:14.

Thank you very much, welcome to Bordeaux, the noise is incredible.

:25:15.:25:20.

You did come very close in 2003-4. How does it feel to be surrounded by

:25:21.:25:26.

so many noisy Welsh fans here? Incredible. We were out in the city

:25:27.:25:29.

last night and the atmosphere was incredible. Thousands have turned

:25:30.:25:35.

out to see Wales in abundance in the first time in their history in so

:25:36.:25:45.

long. Wayne Hennessey woke up with a back spasm, so what a huge day for

:25:46.:25:50.

the 22-year-old Danny Ward. 21 appearances for Aberdeen and not so

:25:51.:25:55.

long ago he was playing in the Conference for Tamworth. What is

:25:56.:26:01.

amazing is that the team have been so relaxed and we've seen a view of

:26:02.:26:04.

them here today, James Collins just came over to have a chat with you

:26:05.:26:08.

and they looked incredibly focused and ready. Yes, they looked fit and

:26:09.:26:13.

strong and that is how they went through the qualifying campaign,

:26:14.:26:17.

with smiles on their faces. Now it's important they trying get out of

:26:18.:26:21.

this group and get off to a good start against Slovakia today. So

:26:22.:26:25.

many players who have massive roles in this qualifying campaign, none

:26:26.:26:28.

more so than the superstar himself, Gareth Bale. Yes, but defensively

:26:29.:26:33.

we've done well as well. It's not all about Gareth Bale, but going

:26:34.:26:38.

forward he had 52 shots in the group stages, the most of any player. 82%

:26:39.:26:42.

of the goals, he was involved in. Going forward we are so reliant on

:26:43.:26:47.

that superstar, Gareth Bale. Great noise here in Bordeaux, Gary.

:26:48.:26:54.

STUDIO Yes, unsurprisingly so. There is the

:26:55.:26:58.

main man, Gareth Bale. A two-time Champions League winner with Real

:26:59.:27:02.

Madrid of course, and scorer of seven of Wales's in 11 games in --

:27:03.:27:08.

11 goals in qualifying. A global superstar he may be but he's never

:27:09.:27:14.

forgotten his Cardiff roots. It was a qualifying campaign that always

:27:15.:27:17.

glowed with a collective spirit but it was illuminated by a guiding

:27:18.:27:22.

light. Qualifying now gives way to the real thing. It's been a long

:27:23.:27:27.

time coming. We've worked very hard for this, since I started in the

:27:28.:27:32.

Welsh setup and we've had many journeys that have failed but now

:27:33.:27:41.

we've been successful. I'm just trying to take it all in and look

:27:42.:27:44.

forward to the whole experience. He is ours but we have to share him,

:27:45.:27:50.

with the club -- a club never afraid to spend like no other. At ?85

:27:51.:27:52.

million, Galactico, another world. Little Gareth Frank

:27:53.:28:11.

Bale, from the Cardiff suburbs. Cycling's Gareth Thomas and Sam

:28:12.:28:19.

Warburton came here too. He was quiet, went about his work, didn't

:28:20.:28:23.

upset too many people, was easy to get along with. He was the kid who

:28:24.:28:28.

was good at football, you know? If the ball to Bale, that was the main

:28:29.:28:33.

call. A guiding light already, then, and one soon on his way. Talent

:28:34.:28:39.

spotted by the dad Hampton Academy and not long afterwards, the first

:28:40.:28:42.

team. -- spotted by the Southampton Academy. The next man to notice,

:28:43.:28:51.

John Toshack, manager of Wales. A child prodigy in his day, but not as

:28:52.:28:54.

young as this. COMMENTATOR: Gareth Bale becomes

:28:55.:29:00.

Wales's youngest ever International, 16 years and 315 days, Wales's

:29:01.:29:08.

celebrated wonder kid. Late May 2006, a friendly against Trinidad

:29:09.:29:11.

and Tobago, the teenager looking very much at home. Good ball from

:29:12.:29:16.

Bale here and that might just have won the game! Gareth Bale,

:29:17.:29:22.

record-breaker, how does that feel? Yeah, obviously it's good, yeah,

:29:23.:29:26.

enjoy every minute of the game and just happy to get on. What has it

:29:27.:29:29.

been like with the senior squad? It's just a good new experience for

:29:30.:29:36.

me and I enjoy every minute of it. September 2014, Wales had not

:29:37.:29:39.

qualified for a major tournament since 1958. He lay the great

:29:40.:29:45.

challenge. At the start of qualifying he realised that

:29:46.:29:49.

something was possible and I think he thought to himself, I really need

:29:50.:29:52.

to perform to get this team over the line. Not the best of starts.

:29:53.:30:01.

COMMENTATOR: Davis, Bale with the header, 1-1! Gareth Bale comes to

:30:02.:30:07.

the rescue in the nick of time for Wales!

:30:08.:30:14.

. Gareth Bale again. -- 2-1. Bale exit. 2-0. Ramsey, and he has scored

:30:15.:30:38.

a second tonight. Back in 2007, when he was still 17, he was on the move

:30:39.:30:43.

again, from Southampton to Tottenham Hotspur. I have made the right

:30:44.:30:47.

decision. It is obviously a big club. Hopefully we can fulfil that

:30:48.:30:52.

and I can be part of it. It was a faltering start. His verse 24

:30:53.:30:59.

Premier League games produced no victories. Sir Alex Ferguson branded

:31:00.:31:03.

imaging. Such mischief were soon silenced. Then a Champions League

:31:04.:31:09.

game against Inter Milan. Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 down at half-time. I

:31:10.:31:14.

said I am not going to take off Gareth. I felt we needed to be a

:31:15.:31:18.

threat going forward. He scored an amazing hat-trick. In 2013, he was a

:31:19.:31:25.

headline act. Would they be any different as a person? Four days off

:31:26.:31:31.

last week. I felt he needed a break. He has been working hard. I said to

:31:32.:31:36.

him, go abroad for a few days. He did, he went to Cardiff and stayed

:31:37.:31:43.

with his mum. I do not believe it. Bale has done it. They loved him at

:31:44.:31:48.

home and came after him from abroad. And one club in particular could

:31:49.:31:50.

afford him. He is than plastic player, fantastic

:31:51.:32:11.

talent. It is not easy for a player who comes to another country. The

:32:12.:32:16.

first year he did really well. On the David Gareth Bale was presented

:32:17.:32:19.

as a Real Madrid player, the president gave him the, you're here

:32:20.:32:24.

to win things for Real Madrid, and the thing we are most interested in

:32:25.:32:31.

is the European cup. Nine months later, he scores the winning goal in

:32:32.:32:34.

lesbian to win the European cup. He had already scored a ridiculous goal

:32:35.:32:38.

to win the Copa del Rey final. You could not wait for a better season.

:32:39.:32:44.

-- you could not wish. He was about to turn red-hot for his country.

:32:45.:32:48.

Beat Belgium in Cardiff and Wales could dream dreams as big as

:32:49.:32:57.

anyone's. He has scored. Every training session and every game,

:32:58.:33:00.

there is definitely a Gareth Bale moment when you think you

:33:01.:33:05.

superhuman. It is nice to be on the same pitch as him. When you think

:33:06.:33:08.

back to some of the things he has done with Wales, the goals, it is

:33:09.:33:13.

unbelievable. Richards on the edge of the penalty area, sweeps it

:33:14.:33:18.

towards Bale. Would you believe it, the man on a mission, to take Wales

:33:19.:33:23.

to France. I just try and go out and play with all the boys. We all

:33:24.:33:27.

defend together as one team. If someone loses the ball, we all go

:33:28.:33:32.

looking for it back. If someone makes a mistake, we get on with it.

:33:33.:33:37.

We do everything together, on and off the field and it makes us

:33:38.:33:41.

stronger. Back in Madrid, he had caught a dose of second season

:33:42.:33:45.

blues, rumours of friction with Cristiano Ronaldo. Some blamed Bale.

:33:46.:33:54.

I think that because Gareth does not speak Spanish, he does not engage

:33:55.:33:58.

with the media, it makes it too easy for them when things go wrong for

:33:59.:34:02.

him to be attacked. But Holm was always there. Who has had the best

:34:03.:34:09.

shot you can think of? Bale. Home is home and you can never change that.

:34:10.:34:13.

Whenever I get the chance to go home, I always do. High, do you mind

:34:14.:34:27.

if I join in. -- hi. Victory against Bosnia and Wales would qualify. But

:34:28.:34:32.

be lost, 2-0. Then they heard that Israel had lost as well. Wales will

:34:33.:34:39.

be in Rome next summer. I never felt it would not happen. We have been

:34:40.:34:43.

through difficult times with Wales, on and off the pitch, but we believe

:34:44.:34:48.

that when we got older and got more experience at international level,

:34:49.:34:52.

we would be stronger. Our time is now. May 2016, the Champions League

:34:53.:34:58.

final again. A marathon in Milan ended in smiles. All is well in

:34:59.:35:04.

Spain, and no Championship finals await. Ten years on from the

:35:05.:35:07.

youngest ever at that time to the guiding light of his age. Just how

:35:08.:35:14.

big do we dream? To be fully involved as a nation is going to be

:35:15.:35:19.

amazing for everybody. We hope we can do everybody proud. I am sure we

:35:20.:35:23.

will have goose bumps, that is for sure, especially with the wealth

:35:24.:35:27.

funds, when they are singing the anthem, knowing everyone back home

:35:28.:35:31.

is watching on television. -- the Welsh fans. You never know. There's

:35:32.:35:41.

years, Gareth Bale, as supreme talent. He has developed beautifully

:35:42.:35:46.

into a powerful yet brilliant footballer? He was a star at

:35:47.:35:50.

Tottenham Hotspur. He is now a superstar. He is begin player. He

:35:51.:35:58.

has proven that in the Champions League finals for Real Madrid. His

:35:59.:36:00.

country is now on his shoulders. Whether he likes it or not, here's

:36:01.:36:04.

the man who everyone looking to. Some of the goals he scored in

:36:05.:36:08.

qualifying, seven goals, the range of goals, that is a towering header,

:36:09.:36:13.

not only to get up there but to get the power and the accuracy. It is

:36:14.:36:18.

something very special. Another header, attacking it again with

:36:19.:36:24.

pace. Free kicks with the left foot. Getting it up and over the wall.

:36:25.:36:30.

Like Cristiano Ronaldo. There is a whole range of goals in him. You are

:36:31.:36:36.

right in what you say. He has bulked up. When you look at the size of him

:36:37.:36:41.

now, he is so powerful and quick. He score some great goals. He is just a

:36:42.:36:47.

top player. I am a massive admirer of him myself. As someone who has

:36:48.:36:53.

played against him... This one, the technique to take it on his right

:36:54.:36:58.

foot and his chest, it is brilliant. To play against him, a lot of the

:36:59.:37:01.

time you just see you back of him, because he is that quick. I chased

:37:02.:37:07.

him at Old Trafford and he was running away from me. He scored with

:37:08.:37:12.

his right foot. I was not happy with the goalkeeper's position. He is the

:37:13.:37:20.

modern-day footballer. Him or Cristiano Ronaldo. He is perfect,

:37:21.:37:25.

strong, aggressive, dynamic. The responsibility is on his shoulders

:37:26.:37:29.

to carry his nation. The best players in the world accept that and

:37:30.:37:32.

thrive under the pressure. You worked with John Toshack when you

:37:33.:37:37.

were assistant with Wales. Do you think in some ways, the fact that

:37:38.:37:41.

with Real Madrid he is slightly in the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo, but

:37:42.:37:45.

when he is with Wales, everything comes on him and he loves it? He

:37:46.:37:51.

loves playing for Wales. He is a nice lad. He has gone to Real

:37:52.:37:56.

Madrid. We all look up to someone. He has looked at Cristiano Ronaldo,

:37:57.:38:01.

and he has gone, I can start scoring headers and free kicks. He has

:38:02.:38:07.

improved. Nobody misses a trick. Everyone watches every move he

:38:08.:38:10.

makes. He does not get frustrated with the Welsh players he is playing

:38:11.:38:15.

with two are not as good. He never shows frustration and teaches is

:38:16.:38:20.

lost causes. They all do it and he carries the team. He loves playing

:38:21.:38:25.

for Wales. You can see when he celebrates how much it means. When

:38:26.:38:29.

he shows that attitude, everyone else has to. If a superstar is doing

:38:30.:38:33.

it, everyone has to. Setting the ready example. Let's head back to

:38:34.:38:39.

Bordeaux teacher from another excited Welshman.

:38:40.:38:42.

Jason is with John Hartson. How does it feel to be standing here? It is

:38:43.:38:50.

incredible. Unbelievable. We have waited a long time. They are hearing

:38:51.:38:55.

there are thousands. Wales have the majority of the supporters. Slovakia

:38:56.:39:00.

have some bank bad goal. They were lining the streets last night,

:39:01.:39:06.

singing, jovial. -- have some supporters behind that goal. Wales

:39:07.:39:12.

are not here to make up the numbers. There is such a massive temptation

:39:13.:39:16.

to talk about the England game in Lines, but they have all talked

:39:17.:39:19.

about getting the victory against Slovakia. Yes, it is imperative they

:39:20.:39:27.

do not get beat. If they can win, it is brilliant. They face a tough,

:39:28.:39:31.

strong side who were excellent in the qualifiers. They have good

:39:32.:39:36.

players all over the park. They play 4-5- one. They pack the midfield and

:39:37.:39:41.

play on the counterattack. It is important for Wales to try to get

:39:42.:39:46.

Gareth Bale, who is integral to the way that Wales play, on the ball

:39:47.:39:50.

with space to run at the opposition. Is important they get service to

:39:51.:39:56.

him, supply. Gareth will play as a leading role, further up the pitch.

:39:57.:40:00.

You will not see him running from beet. Wales have no other strikers

:40:01.:40:06.

on the pitch, they have three on the bench, Vokes, Church and

:40:07.:40:12.

Robson-Kanu. Gareth will have the freedom to roam and get on the ball.

:40:13.:40:17.

Good man, in joy it. I am pretty sure there will be lots of Wales

:40:18.:40:21.

fans and the players and team officials thinking about the

:40:22.:40:25.

phenomenal work of one Gary Speed, and what he put into this

:40:26.:40:28.

organisation. Very true. So much optimism around

:40:29.:40:33.

the Wales camp. They are facing a Slovakia team that ran out 3-1

:40:34.:40:40.

victors over Germany in a friendly just a few weeks ago. The qualified

:40:41.:40:45.

against Spain. Slovakia began the campaign with six straight victories

:40:46.:40:49.

and held off the challenge of Ukraine to secure a first appearance

:40:50.:40:56.

at the Euros. It is going to be a special day. I have been playing in

:40:57.:41:01.

England for such a long time. A lot of players I have been playing

:41:02.:41:06.

against. It will be a special game. From my point of view, I will try to

:41:07.:41:09.

do my best to be successful and help my team.

:41:10.:42:27.

This is a great thing for me, to be the captain of the national team. It

:42:28.:42:34.

is the role that every player dreams about. I will try to do my best, you

:42:35.:42:41.

know, I will try to work for the players, try to work for the team.

:42:42.:42:49.

Plenty of familiar faces in the Slovakian team. Obviously Hamsik is

:42:50.:42:53.

their star man. Yes, five goals in qualifying. Ever present in

:42:54.:42:57.

qualifying. As Rio Ferdinand said before that, there is not a lot of

:42:58.:43:05.

goals in this team. But if there is, the probability is they will come

:43:06.:43:09.

from this man. He has a habit of getting into that position, coming

:43:10.:43:13.

in late, coming up to support. You want to make a point about the

:43:14.:43:18.

fullbacks? The three midfield players, that has got to be Allen,

:43:19.:43:22.

Edwards and Ramsey. You have to latch onto him. When the ball goes

:43:23.:43:27.

behind our defence, he is the danger man. You cannot let him arrive in

:43:28.:43:32.

the box late. I imagine that the tactics of Chris will be, maybe he

:43:33.:43:37.

is playing Edwards for that reason. He has a knack of getting into the

:43:38.:43:42.

position and supporting the lone centre forward, Duris. There he is

:43:43.:43:46.

in the Number 10 Rolf. He finishes with his right foot and comes

:43:47.:43:52.

inside. He sends the defender down. His left foot. He smashes it again.

:43:53.:43:58.

There he is again, on the edge of the box. A little bit of luck with

:43:59.:44:03.

the finish through the legs. Expect him to do that today. The

:44:04.:44:07.

interesting thing will be how the back three of Wales Corp. He will

:44:08.:44:12.

arrive late, and the one centre forward. I think you've got to

:44:13.:44:15.

designate one of the midfield players to sit on him. Sometimes the

:44:16.:44:21.

back four will drift to the six yard box when a cross comes in. He is

:44:22.:44:25.

coming in around the penalties but, the bollards behind him. If one man

:44:26.:44:30.

is going to do that it will be Edwards. It is vitally important

:44:31.:44:35.

that the back three, the captain, Williams, to be talking to those

:44:36.:44:38.

three, telling them, left, right, push up. He does not need several

:44:39.:44:44.

touches, he can hit balls first time. Now your favourite substrate,

:44:45.:44:51.

Liverpool central defenders. Martin Skrtel, he is the leader of this

:44:52.:44:57.

side. -- favourite subject. Yes, he is living the dream. He was not a

:44:58.:45:02.

regular for Liverpool this season. It will be playing on his mind. He

:45:03.:45:07.

will be looking to shake that off in the shirt of his nation. He is a

:45:08.:45:12.

solid defender, powerful, aggressive, he wants contact with

:45:13.:45:17.

players. His problem is when players start to drift off him and ask him

:45:18.:45:22.

to defend one against one. I am sure that the likes of Jonathan Williams,

:45:23.:45:26.

Ramsey and Bale will be doing that, trying to isolate him. When he's up

:45:27.:45:30.

against people he is commanding, but he has had a very good at Liverpool.

:45:31.:45:37.

Time to hear from the Welsh captain. Ashley Williams played every minute

:45:38.:45:41.

of every game in qualifying. The Swansea City defender was born in

:45:42.:45:45.

Wolverhampton but has a Welsh grandfather. He made his debut in

:45:46.:45:49.

2008 and winces 60th cap today. Everything about this summer has

:45:50.:45:59.

been with the unknown. It is something new for us. The games in

:46:00.:46:06.

the tournament is the same. We need to stick to what we know and we

:46:07.:46:11.

can't go wrong. John Toshack always talks about the day he went to

:46:12.:46:17.

Hereford to see you in a lunchtime kick-off, left after 45 minutes and

:46:18.:46:24.

said yeah, we'll take him. Proved a good 45, didn't it? I heard a

:46:25.:46:29.

different story, that he said he is rubbish, we don't want him, and then

:46:30.:46:33.

somehow I got back in the squad! I don't know what the actual story

:46:34.:46:36.

was. COMMENTATOR: Wales will be in France

:46:37.:46:43.

next summer in the Euro 2016 finals! Since we've qualified, we haven't

:46:44.:46:47.

really hit that level of performance. Different reasons for

:46:48.:46:52.

that but we needed to get the business done in the qualifying

:46:53.:46:57.

campaign, with the friendlies the pressure was off a bit and we knew

:46:58.:47:04.

we had the tournament coming. The friendlies don't help really, from a

:47:05.:47:14.

play a's point of view. Now we just want to get that and take in the

:47:15.:47:17.

atmosphere before we hear the first whistle and compete, really. What

:47:18.:47:24.

threat will Slovakia pose? It's a tough game because everyone thinks

:47:25.:47:28.

this is the easiest one for us, it's the first one, we've never done it

:47:29.:47:33.

before. They're a good team, they're very dangerous on the counterattack.

:47:34.:47:37.

They can play a number of formations. As we always did in the

:47:38.:47:43.

qualifiers, we will concentrate on ourselves. We can try and nullify

:47:44.:47:46.

them but the main thing is to concentrate on our own performance.

:47:47.:47:50.

As a captain, do you try and get the players are poor calm the players

:47:51.:47:54.

down? I think the message for most people will be keep your head, keep

:47:55.:47:58.

your emotions in check, do what you've always done your whole

:47:59.:48:01.

career, what got you to hear. I don't need to get anyone up for that

:48:02.:48:08.

game, to be honest. I think everyone will be right up for it so it will

:48:09.:48:12.

just be about controlling the levels of excitement. Chris Coleman's men

:48:13.:48:19.

have freed Welsh football from the shackles of their history! We

:48:20.:48:24.

understand what it means to everyone, it means everything to us.

:48:25.:48:28.

I think there's a re-good patriotically about the place and we

:48:29.:48:31.

all understand what it means to play for Wales. Well, if Gareth Bale is

:48:32.:48:35.

important going forward for Wales, Ashley Williams is certainly vital

:48:36.:48:39.

for them at the back. A big night for their leader, someone you know

:48:40.:48:43.

very well, Rio, a big friend of yours. This fella doesn't miss

:48:44.:48:48.

football matches, does he? He doesn't he turns up, minutes played

:48:49.:48:51.

in the Premier League he is at top of the tree. It is ridiculous

:48:52.:48:57.

really. The goalkeepers normally top that chart all the time but he's

:48:58.:49:00.

always there. Physically he is rugged and he's a leader of men. He

:49:01.:49:06.

is someone that the other players will look to and there's no denying

:49:07.:49:10.

he is the captain and leads from the front. When there is situation is

:49:11.:49:13.

when you have to put your body on the line for your team or the end

:49:14.:49:17.

the right position, he's always there. He smells the danger. A few

:49:18.:49:22.

players like Vidic, John Terry etc, when the ball is in the box, the

:49:23.:49:25.

ball just comes to them or they just sniff it out and managed to put

:49:26.:49:30.

their body on the line. He's one of them guys. Here you see, throwing

:49:31.:49:34.

his body in the way. He's done this countless times in the last three or

:49:35.:49:37.

four years. I'm just surprised that one of the top three or four teams,

:49:38.:49:41.

Arsenal is especially, haven't taken a punt on him and put them in their

:49:42.:49:46.

team. He knows the Premier League inside out. He's not one of them who

:49:47.:49:49.

turns up for a couple of games a season, he's their week in week out.

:49:50.:49:53.

You mentioned about him not playing for one of the bigger clubs. I spoke

:49:54.:49:57.

to Brendan Rodgers about him when he was at Liverpool and he tried to or

:49:58.:50:01.

three times to sign him but for whatever reason the board wouldn't

:50:02.:50:04.

back him, because of his age all the money he would have cost, but I

:50:05.:50:09.

think he would have been a great addition to Liverpool's team. I'm a

:50:10.:50:13.

Swansea fan from Swansea and he's the main reason they've done well.

:50:14.:50:17.

He can play a certain style of football. I watched him play for

:50:18.:50:21.

Stockport before Tosh picked him in the squad and he tried to dribble

:50:22.:50:25.

out of the box a couple of times, Dave Jones was the manager and stood

:50:26.:50:30.

at the side of the pitch and he kicked the next four balls over the

:50:31.:50:34.

standard! I thought, he'll do for us! The one thing he is missing is a

:50:35.:50:37.

song, take a look at this. # Ain't nobody like Joe Ledley

:50:38.:50:49.

# Makes me happy, makes me feel this way

:50:50.:50:57.

# Ain't nobody like Joe Ledley # Joe Allen!

:50:58.:51:09.

# Gimme Hope, Joe Allen # Gimme Hope, Joe Allen, till the

:51:10.:51:15.

morning comes # It's much too late to find

:51:16.:51:18.

# When you think you changed your mind

:51:19.:51:20.

# You'd better take it back or we will both be sorry

:51:21.:51:27.

# Aaron Ramsey, baby! # Aaron Ramsey Oh!

:51:28.:51:33.

Aaron Ramsey baby... Aaron Ramsey has had a kind of up and down season

:51:34.:51:41.

with Arsenal, but bags of talent, really. He has. He's another one, he

:51:42.:51:47.

makes the runs from midfield and his clinical when he gets in there. A

:51:48.:51:50.

couple of seasons back he got a good number of goals and you thought this

:51:51.:51:54.

is a new Frank Lampard type player. He had a sticky last season but

:51:55.:51:59.

again, he always gets in there and he's a player who tries a lot of the

:52:00.:52:03.

difficult things a lot of the time, he can frustrate team-mates, but

:52:04.:52:06.

when it comes off it looks beautiful. He can be a real threat,

:52:07.:52:09.

Dean? Yes, himself, and he will put you in.

:52:10.:52:23.

He's really talented. A nasty injury at Birmingham a couple of years

:52:24.:52:28.

back. He's come back from that. He's one of our best players. If he plays

:52:29.:52:32.

well, we win. I had a couple of nasty injuries like he had and it's

:52:33.:52:36.

tough to come back. That tells me he's got character. I think the

:52:37.:52:40.

three players we've covered so far for Wales, Williams, Bale and

:52:41.:52:45.

Ramsey, they could get in the England team. I agree, definitely.

:52:46.:52:52.

Williams goes in as a centre half, Ramsey at attacking midfield and

:52:53.:52:56.

Bale plays where he wants! We're not talking about England, that's the

:52:57.:53:00.

next game! We certainly look forward to that one. Let's hope that Wales

:53:01.:53:04.

and England get off to a decent start. If you can just get off to a

:53:05.:53:07.

decent start, get a bit of momentum, a bit of belief. I actually think, I

:53:08.:53:13.

net it's a bit of the subject, but I think Northern Ireland will do

:53:14.:53:16.

really well as well. I think they've got all the equipment to do well.

:53:17.:53:20.

You know what's important? I'm pretty certain Chris said this to

:53:21.:53:24.

his players, "Look, you have worked your socks off, you've done

:53:25.:53:27.

unbelievably well to get yourselves in this position, do not waste it.

:53:28.:53:32.

What an opportunity you guys have got, do not leave anything in that

:53:33.:53:36.

dressing room. Have no regrets after this game". In a sense it's not

:53:37.:53:40.

really about motivating the players, is it? It's about keeping them calm.

:53:41.:53:45.

Yet, motivating the guys at this stage, that's not the problem. It's

:53:46.:53:48.

about making sure they go out there with a clear mind. Managing your

:53:49.:53:53.

emotions. Don't get caught up with all the excitement, all the

:53:54.:53:56.

hullabaloo that goes with the tournament. You've got to be at your

:53:57.:53:59.

best, you've got to be calm. Can they do it, Alan? Yes, I think they

:54:00.:54:05.

can. A lot depends on Bale but I think they might nick it by a goal.

:54:06.:54:12.

Yes, I will go 1-0 Wales. Dean, need I ask? 2-0, Wales! It's been a long

:54:13.:54:22.

wait, but Wales's time has come. Our commentators are Robbie Savage and

:54:23.:54:25.

Steve Wilson. COMMENTATOR: Good afternoon

:54:26.:54:29.

everybody. You are quite right. The last was in Gothenberg when Pelle's

:54:30.:54:40.

-- Pele's last international goal knocked Wales out of the 1958 World

:54:41.:54:44.

Cup. -- his first international goal. Slovakia the opposition and

:54:45.:54:49.

these are the proud Welshman you can imagine. Backed here by huge support

:54:50.:54:55.

in this beautiful stadium and this beautiful city. They've been here

:54:56.:55:05.

for the last few days. Always joyful. It is Slovakia's first ever

:55:06.:55:10.

appearance at a European Championship finals and the

:55:11.:55:13.

Slovakians line up for their national anthem.

:55:14.:55:17.

And now a moment that's been 58 years in the waiting and a moment

:55:18.:56:34.

that should not and must not pass without a thought for Gary Speed. At

:56:35.:56:43.

last, in a tournament finals, the national anthem of Wales.

:56:44.:56:56.

# Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi

:56:57.:57:06.

# Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri

:57:07.:57:17.

# Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mad

:57:18.:57:28.

Wow. Beautiful. Gary Speed's dad Roger is amongst those Welsh fans

:57:29.:58:17.

today. What an occasion. So, Wayne Hennessey's last-minute

:58:18.:58:39.

back spasm has led to a first ever international start for Liverpool

:58:40.:58:43.

reserve Danny Ward. Joe Ledley broke his leg at the beginning of May. He

:58:44.:58:52.

is fit but not in the 11. So much depends on Gareth Bale. He has broad

:58:53.:59:00.

shoulders and he very rarely disappoints. Proud, proud

:59:01.:59:11.

moment for Ashley Williams and for Martin Skrtel. The Norwegian referee

:59:12.:59:30.

in charge, 37 years old. Slovakia did appear in the World Cup finals

:59:31.:59:35.

in 2010, when they beat Italy. They beat Spain in qualifying for this

:59:36.:59:39.

tournament and they beat Germany in Germany 12 days ago. Marek Hamsik is

:59:40.:59:45.

the golden boy, nine seasons at Napoli now but still only 28. Kucka

:59:46.:59:57.

has enjoyed a good season at AC Milan, Martin Skrtel not so much at

:59:58.:00:02.

Liverpool. Manchester City fans will run member Vladimir Weiss will stop

:00:03.:00:06.

your thoughts on this historic moment? The national anthem was

:00:07.:00:10.

absolutely electric in this stadium. What an opportunity for Wales in the

:00:11.:00:13.

opening game against a big, strong Slovakians side. I think Wales will

:00:14.:00:20.

have more possession but it's important they get the ball in those

:00:21.:00:24.

forward areas to that superstar which is Gareth Bale. There he is!

:00:25.:00:36.

Wales, need I say, in red and white, from left to right. There is Hamsik,

:00:37.:00:46.

the only player in the Slovakian team to score double figures of

:00:47.:00:50.

international goals. He is very Gareth Bale. Slovakia will get the

:00:51.:01:01.

game under way, taking from a right to live in the Stade de Bordeaux.

:01:02.:01:09.

What the stadium. It holds a little under 14,000 people. It is

:01:10.:01:13.

predominantly red and white. The Norwegian referee blows his whistle

:01:14.:01:18.

and Sabatier get the game under way. Chasing the back pass. -- and

:01:19.:01:32.

Slovakia. Are you worried about the team selection, given the injuries

:01:33.:01:37.

to Robson-Kanu, and given the options that Chris Coleman had, I

:01:38.:01:41.

surprised and eating is not in the side? Very unfortunate not to start.

:01:42.:01:45.

He won the Premier League with Leicester. It is a vote of

:01:46.:01:50.

confidence for David Edwards, playing in the Championship. He is a

:01:51.:01:55.

good player. Johnny Williams also missing. He is starting on the

:01:56.:01:59.

right-hand side. There -- I thought he would play at Number 10, but it

:02:00.:02:04.

looks like Aaron Ramsey will take up that spot, just buying Gareth Bale.

:02:05.:02:08.

It is important that they will look for Bale. Aaron Ramsey, blonde now.

:02:09.:02:15.

He was bundled from behind. He felt he might have got a free kick. Wales

:02:16.:02:23.

will be happy to play on. That is into the gloves of the Slovakian

:02:24.:02:29.

goalkeeper, cause a cheque. That was a confident start, Ramsey and Bale

:02:30.:02:35.

linking up nicely. A few tricks, the backheel from Ramsey. It is a free

:02:36.:02:41.

kick, Ashley Williams into the back of Duris. Chris Coleman said

:02:42.:02:49.

yesterday that no is not the time to sit back and enjoy the moment. There

:02:50.:02:53.

is the time to roll up your sleeves, and do the job.

:02:54.:03:06.

That was in towards Duris. It was a heavy touch. That was by Hrosovsky.

:03:07.:03:17.

Great cover from Chester. He is playing the right side of

:03:18.:03:21.

centre-half. He had to get across, a few boys out of position, and he

:03:22.:03:25.

made a vital interception, James Not a great patch from Bale. This is

:03:26.:03:41.

Duris. The challenge came in from Davies. Hamsik has dispossessed him.

:03:42.:03:51.

He goes on. I'm believable. -- unbelievable. Ben Davies, I have got

:03:52.:04:00.

to say what an absolutely fantastic run from Ramsey. -- from Hamsik.

:04:01.:04:06.

Watch Ben Davies get back up the line. A fantastic goal saving

:04:07.:04:11.

challenge. It had goal written all over it, but his right leg stretched

:04:12.:04:16.

out, great cover from Ben Davies. It seemed impossible that the ball

:04:17.:04:20.

would not go into the back of the net. It is a Slovakian corner.

:04:21.:04:25.

Headed out by Bale. That is what Hamsik is capable of. The Wales fans

:04:26.:04:33.

are unhappy. They felt that Johnny Williams was fouled. That was a

:04:34.:04:39.

foul. The free kick has been taken quickly, and Hamsik, it is Williams

:04:40.:04:45.

who is shouting to those around him. Wales under pressure. The referee's

:04:46.:04:54.

whistle has relieved that somewhat. You're right about Hamsik. What are

:04:55.:04:58.

run. It was Gareth Bale who did not see him on his shoulder. We can see

:04:59.:05:04.

the foul. Taylor gets clattered. Going back to Hamsik, the way he

:05:05.:05:09.

drove inside, faintly to shoot, he beat three Welsh players, he went

:05:10.:05:14.

past the goalkeeper. Fantastic play from Hamsik. He has 81 goals for

:05:15.:05:19.

Napoli, level with Diego Maradona, and believably. He has played more

:05:20.:05:25.

than 300 games in the top flight in Italy, Marek Hamsik. Wales will know

:05:26.:05:31.

all about him, but knowing about him and stopping him are two different

:05:32.:05:37.

things. That is a foul by Joe Allen on Kucka. It is important now that

:05:38.:05:44.

the captain, Ashley Williams, just grabs hold of Davies and Chester and

:05:45.:05:50.

says, can dine. Wales have lots of the ball at the minute. -- Slovakia.

:05:51.:05:59.

-- calm down. It was within a whisker of being the worst possible

:06:00.:06:04.

start for Wales. Hamsik again, finding Weiss. Joe Allen tidying up

:06:05.:06:09.

for Wales, finding Ramsey. Koza chick away for. The header.

:06:10.:06:40.

Play on. That was a good ball. Chris Gunter has started every Welsh

:06:41.:06:45.

international for three years. The wingbacks are playing- or Wales.

:06:46.:06:51.

Taylor on the left. They will get forward at every opportunity. Good

:06:52.:06:52.

energy. It is the man whose clearance it

:06:53.:07:08.

was, Ben Davies, for Wales, as the ball seemed destined for the back of

:07:09.:07:09.

their net. Taylor thought it was his, but it is

:07:10.:07:30.

not. The warm up game for Slovakia, the notable victory over Germany,

:07:31.:07:38.

3-1. The tour game against Northern Ireland in their final warm up game,

:07:39.:07:44.

and it finished goalless. -- they drew a game against Northern

:07:45.:07:46.

Ireland. That is a Wales free kick. Chester, Williams and Davies have

:07:47.:07:58.

all gone forward. Ramsey's ball in. Those are

:07:59.:08:25.

checked's not entirely convincing clearance. Joe Allen did not get any

:08:26.:08:30.

real direction at what was an attempt at the shot. Ashley Williams

:08:31.:08:33.

could not diverted towards the goal. A decent ball into the box by Aaron

:08:34.:08:40.

Ramsey. The goalkeeper seemed to flat batted. It was a great punch.

:08:41.:08:46.

Joe Allen could not sought his feet out. The goalkeeper coming through

:08:47.:08:53.

those bodies. He does not get a great punch. Durica and Skrtel were

:08:54.:09:02.

doing him no fear of areas. -- no favours. Bouncing cheques and

:09:03.:09:08.

bouncing Slovaks. That is the chase for Dusan Svento,

:09:09.:09:21.

whose only international goal came against Wales.

:09:22.:09:35.

Ramsey enjoying the cans to run with it. He has given it away to

:09:36.:09:43.

Hrosovsky, who is the defensive screen for Slovakia's back four.

:09:44.:09:48.

That was well anticipated by Chester. Williams. It is a free

:09:49.:09:58.

kick. Hrosovsky says no, the Norwegian referee says yes. He has

:09:59.:10:00.

started the game well, Johnny Williams. He goes past Hrosovsky.

:10:01.:10:10.

This is a great position for Gareth Bale, on his favoured left foot. He

:10:11.:10:14.

has that Cristiano Ronaldo technique where he seems to hit it with the

:10:15.:10:18.

laces. It's where was all of the place. It is a great opportunity now

:10:19.:10:22.

for the Welshman. The Slovakian Wallace about a yard

:10:23.:10:37.

outside their 18-yard box. Gareth Bale is standing around 30 yards

:10:38.:10:39.

away from the Slovakian goal. Bale for Wells. It is in. -- Wales.

:10:40.:10:59.

He completely filled cause a cheque. 1-0 Wales. -- he completely filled

:11:00.:11:10.

Matus Kozacik. He has done it again. Gareth Bale on his favoured left

:11:11.:11:16.

foot, the way he strikes the ball. I would like to see the goalkeeper's

:11:17.:11:21.

starting position. He takes a step to his left, I have no idea why. It

:11:22.:11:27.

is a great strike by Gareth Bale but the goalkeeper takes a step to his

:11:28.:11:31.

left. Look at the technique. Up and down. I think the goalkeeper has

:11:32.:11:37.

moved too soon. Why take a step to the lad? Who cares, it is 1-0,

:11:38.:11:45.

Gareth Bale. Gareth Bale for Wales, 1-0 in Bordeaux. The goalkeeper,

:11:46.:11:54.

cause a cheque, made a fatal step to his left. He could not get it. Matus

:11:55.:12:04.

Kozacik. If you're going to do that, you have got to make sure you cover

:12:05.:12:13.

the right. 1-0, Wales. Williams could not quite pick out Taylor.

:12:14.:12:22.

That was well covered by Robert Mak. Listening to Rio Ferdinand before

:12:23.:12:27.

the game, he said 1-0, I Jonathan Williams says that the Gareth Bale

:12:28.:12:34.

golf. I would take that right now. That was a little push in the back

:12:35.:12:36.

of Kucka. The goalkeeper will be kicking

:12:37.:12:53.

himself, not entirely convincing from the cross. Then, no shame in

:12:54.:13:02.

being beaten by Gareth Bale free kick, but he did not help himself,

:13:03.:13:04.

the goalkeeper. Confidence coursing through Welsh

:13:05.:13:34.

legs. Kucka had fallen behind Duris. That is a good ball. Williams

:13:35.:13:36.

covered. It is a goal kick. Just look at the technique, the way

:13:37.:13:49.

he hates it with the inside of his fate. It dips over the wall. If the

:13:50.:13:55.

goalkeeper stays in his normal starting position, I think he saves

:13:56.:14:02.

that. But he moved to the left. Look at these Welsh fans, what it means

:14:03.:14:04.

to the travelling thousands of Welsh fans. They have been in great

:14:05.:14:10.

spirits in Bordeaux. That sums up Wales, the celebration, everybody

:14:11.:14:16.

involved. The hash tag is together stronger. That is what it is about.

:14:17.:14:19.

A long way to go. This is Ramsey. No foul. Dusan Svento and over.

:14:20.:14:45.

There was no contact. It is a throw into Wales. That is the positivity

:14:46.:14:51.

of this Welsh side. Look are higher up the pitch they are.

:14:52.:15:02.

-- look how high up the pitch. Allen, trying to avoid Kucka.

:15:03.:15:19.

Hamsik's ball played his team-mate into trouble, Hrosovsky.

:15:20.:15:23.

Wales free kick. Definite foul, there. Duris, no eyes on the ball,

:15:24.:15:35.

no attempt to play the ball. James Chester focused on the ball. Free

:15:36.:15:40.

kick Wales. What a positive start. They've got the goal. Their hustling

:15:41.:15:46.

and harrying, giving the Lameki inside no time whatsoever on the

:15:47.:15:52.

ball. -- giving the Slovakian side no time whatsoever. Could have been

:15:53.:15:59.

an awful start but it's been a wonderful start, Wales are in front.

:16:00.:16:04.

James Chester. That's a good-looking ball, Taylor

:16:05.:16:22.

chasing but team behind for a goal kick. Wales's last warm up didn't go

:16:23.:16:32.

very well, Robbie, the 3-0 defeat in Sweden of which Gareth Bale only

:16:33.:16:37.

played the last 20 minutes or so. But all the friendlies, all the

:16:38.:16:40.

build-up all forgotten. This is what counts.

:16:41.:17:19.

Back to Martin Skrtel under pressure... Not always the most

:17:20.:17:26.

comfortable in possession, Martin Skrtel. Not always the most

:17:27.:17:38.

comfortable with pace. Bouncing off Danny Ward. Look they get

:17:39.:17:50.

uncomfortable there, the goalkeeper, Danny Ward. -- looked a bit

:17:51.:17:55.

uncomfortable. Ashley Williams gave him a pat on the shoulder, saying,

:17:56.:18:01.

"Come on son, we will need you at some point in this game". A lack of

:18:02.:18:06.

communication between Captain and the goalkeeper. Wayne Hennessey had

:18:07.:18:12.

a back spasm and so Liverpool's reserve goalkeeper Danny Ward is in

:18:13.:18:17.

goal. He'd had a very good loan spell at Aberdeen this season and

:18:18.:18:22.

was on the bench for Liverpool in the Europa League final. He did play

:18:23.:18:26.

a couple of games towards the end of the season for Jurgen Klopp's side.

:18:27.:18:30.

Well anticipated by Davis. Ramsey back to Davis. Jonny Williams.

:18:31.:18:52.

No pressure being put on the ball by Slovakia.

:18:53.:19:00.

Unlucky, Chris Gunter. They've looked for that ball on a couple of

:19:01.:19:12.

occasions. Joe Allen was successful before. That ball from Ramsey... You

:19:13.:19:20.

see here, a lack of communication. Was it a handball from Ashley

:19:21.:19:22.

Williams? I don't think it was intentional. Yes, it hits Ashley

:19:23.:19:33.

Williams's arm, but I -- it's not a penalty, for me.

:19:34.:19:49.

Positive start from Wales. If Slovakia conceded first, they never

:19:50.:20:02.

won a game, in the qualifying campaign. They have started -- they

:20:03.:20:08.

started the qualifying campaign much stronger than they finished it.

:20:09.:20:13.

Ramsey, now Williams. Edwards. A feud groans from one or two Wales

:20:14.:20:21.

fans as they thought they missed the opportunity to drive forward. Why

:20:22.:20:36.

not? He has looked a bit dodgy in the opening minutes. That is what

:20:37.:20:44.

this Welsh team will make you do, hurry you when they are in

:20:45.:20:49.

possession. Nonstop, great energy. Cutting inside, that Amir Weiss. --

:20:50.:20:59.

Weiss. He is now playing his club football in Qatar, which is coach

:21:00.:21:08.

has pointed out is possibly not the best preparation for a European

:21:09.:21:11.

Championships. He feels he's lost a little bit of fitness. First time

:21:12.:21:18.

we've seen Weiss driving inside. He's got good pace, as has Mak on

:21:19.:21:28.

the other side, but they just haven't been able to get the ball.

:21:29.:21:40.

WHISTLE Fouled by Bale on Kucka. There is

:21:41.:22:03.

Jan Kozak. His son played in the World Cup in 2010 and his grandson

:22:04.:22:05.

is in Tottenham's Academy. Ashley Williams has gone for the

:22:06.:22:28.

ambitious! You can see defensively they are on the front foot. Winning

:22:29.:22:36.

the ball in front of Duris, whether it is Williams, Ben Davies, Chester.

:22:37.:22:42.

There are aggressive in their defending. Hamsik, Kucka looking for

:22:43.:22:51.

the return. Brought down, a free kick to Slovakia. Perhaps a little

:22:52.:23:00.

bit too far out. Here is the foul. When Hamsik gets the ball, he looks

:23:01.:23:06.

a real threat. Should have scored earlier, to be honest. I think this

:23:07.:23:10.

might just be a bit too far out. What is income 40 yards? But why not

:23:11.:23:16.

try and test Danny Ward on his first start for his country? Kucka is

:23:17.:23:25.

going to have a go. And it dipped a bit, but not enough.

:23:26.:23:39.

He has Kuco on his shirt, which is his nickname, but Kucka is the

:23:40.:23:49.

family name. Talk about the man for a big stage, there come a Gareth

:23:50.:23:53.

Bale. Just another day at the office for him now, isn't it? Nothing seems

:23:54.:24:03.

to faze him. It's his 20th international goal in his 55th cap.

:24:04.:24:05.

Can't speak highly enough of him. Lovely touch from Bale. Here's Chris

:24:06.:24:33.

Gunter for Wales. Ramsey arriving. Welsh throw. Well found, Ramsey.

:24:34.:25:01.

Chris Gunter getting a bit of joy down this right-hand side.

:25:02.:25:04.

WHISTLE It curled out of play before it

:25:05.:25:08.

arrived at the back edge of the penalty area. Goalkick. Gareth

:25:09.:25:15.

Bale... Chris Gunter but the ball in the box and Gareth Bale is so good

:25:16.:25:20.

in the air. He got nine goals in the league from headers larcenies and,

:25:21.:25:22.

more than anybody. -- from headers last season. Chris

:25:23.:25:32.

Gunter has started 23 international is on the trot.

:25:33.:25:36.

Joe Allen in quickly, Ramsey. Covering well. Dusan Svento here.

:25:37.:25:54.

Under pressure. Well, there were a few minutes before Gareth Bale's

:25:55.:25:56.

free kick where Slovakia looked extremely dangerous, but since then,

:25:57.:26:03.

Wales have looked in command. When you see Aaron Ramsey who has played

:26:04.:26:11.

for Arsenal and won FA Cups, closing people down, that just sets the

:26:12.:26:15.

tone. If you see Aaron Ramsey doing it, if you are James Chester,

:26:16.:26:20.

Taylor, Davies, you will think, if Aaron Ramsey will going close down,

:26:21.:26:24.

so will I. It sets the tempo for the whole team. Free kick to defend

:26:25.:26:30.

here. For Wales. Davies with the header. Just being

:26:31.:27:06.

caught by Mak. Strong challenge, Taylor flew in. Kucka is down. The

:27:07.:27:13.

referee letting play go on for the moment. Marek Hamsik is still on the

:27:14.:27:17.

floor. He will now be able to get treatment as the ball has been put

:27:18.:27:26.

out of play. This was Taylor. It's quite a bad challenge there, from

:27:27.:27:32.

Taylor. I think Hamsik won the ball first and foremost. The studs are

:27:33.:27:36.

showing there, from Taylor. Quite surprised they showed that challenge

:27:37.:27:43.

on the big screen. Debatable decisions like that, they don't show

:27:44.:27:49.

to the coaches on the big screen, but that was in full view of

:27:50.:27:56.

everybody and Jan Koazk's face told you exactly what he thought of it.

:27:57.:27:58.

But Hamsik is OK. It might be Slovakia's first

:27:59.:28:10.

European Championships finals, but it's worth saying that the

:28:11.:28:16.

Czechoslovakia team which won the European Championships in 1976,

:28:17.:28:19.

their starting 11 in that final included eight Slovaks and three

:28:20.:28:38.

Czechs. Panenka's penalty won it and he was not one of the Slovaks.

:28:39.:28:52.

Just need to get themselves a bit of a foothold, Slovakia, keep

:28:53.:29:03.

possession for a bit. Start enjoying the feel of the football again.

:29:04.:29:09.

Every time the ball goes up to Duris, there is somebody on him, so

:29:10.:29:17.

tight to him. If he loses the ball, Joe Allen or Dave Edwards are tied

:29:18.:29:24.

to him and can win the ball. They will have to try something

:29:25.:29:28.

different, Slovakia, may be put the balls into the channels for Mak or

:29:29.:29:36.

Weiss to run onto. Everything seems to be in defeat and they can't keep

:29:37.:29:42.

the ball. Chris Coleman recently signed a new contract with the FA

:29:43.:29:45.

WSL it's the end of the next World Cup cycle. -- with the FAW.

:29:46.:30:00.

Hamsik working hard. Well, a pretty thankless task for Durica.

:30:01.:30:19.

Don't forget that live commentary of England versus Russia tonight begins

:30:20.:30:30.

at 8pm. Half time in that game, Alan Shearer and Rio Ferdinand will be

:30:31.:30:35.

giving their views on that performance and you can catch the

:30:36.:30:39.

highlights of that on BBC One tonight at 10:35pm.

:30:40.:31:18.

Hamsik, the area he likes to work in, down the side of midfield.

:31:19.:31:30.

Slovakia on the front foot. Hrosovsky in strongly on the Charlie

:31:31.:31:40.

Williams. There could be a card. The first yellow card of the game. I

:31:41.:31:49.

thought Taylor was lucky to get away with the yellow card before.

:31:50.:31:55.

Hrosovsky has won the ball. With his right foot. He has played the ball.

:31:56.:32:01.

I think he is quite fortunate, to be fair.

:32:02.:32:17.

Chester. Williams tries to nick in between. Martin Skrtel bundled into

:32:18.:32:30.

Johnny Williams. The extra official behind the goal almost got taken

:32:31.:32:36.

out, he was that close to it. Martin Skrtel, as he comes across, just

:32:37.:32:42.

watch his right elbow. That's shocking. How has the official not

:32:43.:32:49.

seen that? If you're going to have these extra officials...! They are

:32:50.:32:53.

not just there to watch the game, they are there to contribute

:32:54.:32:58.

decisions. Terrible decision by the referee and more importantly, the

:32:59.:33:00.

man behind the goal, what he's doing, I know. Skrtel makes no

:33:01.:33:06.

attempt to play the ball, tries to get across Johnny Williams and that

:33:07.:33:20.

has to be a penalty. I am just confused about what those officials

:33:21.:33:23.

are going to do. If they are not going to give anything there, why

:33:24.:33:32.

are they here? Ramsey. Ramsey again. The free kick goes against Wales and

:33:33.:33:40.

in favour of Slovakia. Kucka. Getting tasty.

:33:41.:33:55.

They have lost their way, since the goal.

:33:56.:34:43.

Williams has done very well in the opening 33 minutes. Gareth Bale, to

:34:44.:34:50.

Ramsey. Managed to control that, did well. Great ball. Gunter. Gareth

:34:51.:35:02.

Bale wants it back. Chris Gunter. Try to make it to Edwards, but only

:35:03.:35:09.

found Hrosovsky. Against the positivity of this Welsh side, they

:35:10.:35:15.

just couldn't knock it back into the danger area. That is where you need

:35:16.:35:20.

someone like Edwards. Alan and trying to get the second ball. The

:35:21.:35:24.

game great positive play from this Welsh side -- Joe Allen trying to

:35:25.:35:30.

get the second ball, again great positive play from this Welsh side.

:35:31.:35:33.

Chester. Williams, Ramsey. The official behind the goal had to

:35:34.:35:59.

have seen that from Martin Skrtel, no attempt to play the ball and his

:36:00.:36:04.

elbow caught Jonny Williams in the face. And as you say, Jonny Williams

:36:05.:36:08.

has been doing exceptionally well. I think it has to be a penalty and a

:36:09.:36:12.

straight red card and I am not biased. Hamsik. Weiss. Chester. Now

:36:13.:36:23.

Gareth Bale tries to run away from Martin Skrtel, you might have left

:36:24.:36:27.

it a bit too long. He can't find Ramsey. Just does well to find

:36:28.:36:36.

Ramsey. Joe Allen. Ramsey. Taylor tempted forward, Gareth Bale still

:36:37.:36:38.

hugging the far touchline. Edwards has found Taylor. Williams

:36:39.:37:00.

losing out to Pekarik and that will be a free kick in favour of

:37:01.:37:07.

Slovakia. Wenzel of IKEA do win the ball, Duris has three centre halves

:37:08.:37:13.

against him. -- when Slovakia do win the ball. Chris cantor and Taylor

:37:14.:37:24.

are so far forward. It's so difficult for Duris because they are

:37:25.:37:31.

defending so aggressively, Wales. Martin Skrtel sends its long, and

:37:32.:37:39.

Duris ends up conceding a free kick. There you go, Ashley Williams is

:37:40.:37:43.

tight, those based in behind and they get the ball in front so

:37:44.:37:48.

Slovakia are going to have to change things and get Hamsik on the ball as

:37:49.:37:53.

often as they can, maybe get Mak into the game. The game plan is

:37:54.:38:00.

working perfectly. You must say that Dave Edwards has done a great job

:38:01.:38:05.

winning second balls. His energy has been high. A very good 36 minutes

:38:06.:38:13.

for Chris Coleman's men. And Wales almost beat the all Blacks this

:38:14.:38:16.

morning. Beating Slovakia this evening. Davies. Mak is one of the

:38:17.:38:32.

front three. He was in his own half of the field. He has to try to work

:38:33.:38:40.

alone furrow, 50 yards before he gets anywhere near the attacking

:38:41.:38:49.

area. Davis is in opposition and he drops into that back three. It is

:38:50.:38:56.

Edwards's job, if his opponent drops out of position, to drop back out

:38:57.:38:58.

and make a three. Gareth Bale. Allen. Jonny Williams

:38:59.:39:16.

to his left, Joe Allen finds Ramsey. Allen still moving forward. So far,

:39:17.:39:32.

so very good, for Wales. With the exception of one delightful floating

:39:33.:39:37.

ghosting run of Hamsik when it was goalless, looks certain to score

:39:38.:39:45.

apart from a brilliant clearance by Davis. It has been Wales's half

:39:46.:39:50.

apart from that. We now approach the last five minutes of the first half.

:39:51.:39:58.

Duris a game getting very little support from anyone around him. --

:39:59.:40:05.

Duris again getting very little support from anyone around him. He

:40:06.:40:11.

has problems, Jan Kozak, at the moment. We've seen a lot of Slovakia

:40:12.:40:23.

in the course of 2016 and this is the worst I've seen of them. Kucka.

:40:24.:40:50.

If there were butterflies they will have died down a little now for the

:40:51.:40:53.

young Wales goalkeeper, Danny Ward. I'd be interested to hear the views

:40:54.:41:43.

of our studio panel on that Martin Skrtel challenge. The one person who

:41:44.:41:49.

did not seem to think it was a foul was the guy standing nearest to it.

:41:50.:41:54.

Here is Weiss. Accelerating away from Ramsey. Gives it to Hamsik. He

:41:55.:42:01.

could not quite get through the challenge from Taylor. Hrosovsky, to

:42:02.:42:10.

Pekarik. Danger suddenly as it comes to Weiss. He will fit it, will he?

:42:11.:42:18.

Hamsik does Williams blocks. Suddenly is love IKEA find a second

:42:19.:42:27.

wind. Wales and a bit of pressure four minutes before half-time, the

:42:28.:42:32.

good bit of pressure from Slovakia. To the feet of Duris. The striker

:42:33.:43:02.

cannot quite tame it. And Slovakia have a throw in. Just edging towards

:43:03.:43:08.

the Welsh goal, now. Duris helping it on. Got to be

:43:09.:43:37.

careful with those legs, the Welsh defenders, they were, and Danny Ward

:43:38.:43:43.

hazard. But suddenly for the first time in the game, Weiss is a factor.

:43:44.:43:51.

He needs to get the ball. Good feet in the box but so many Welsh bodies

:43:52.:43:57.

are back, protecting Danny Ward, it's a comfortable save for him. No

:43:58.:44:02.

real pressure in this half, just that one chance for Hamsik, as you

:44:03.:44:10.

say, it was the clearance from Davies which allowed Wales to get

:44:11.:44:18.

the goal, but half-time approaching. They are not there yet but they are

:44:19.:44:20.

close. Hrosovsky. Weiss to take the throw. Svento

:44:21.:45:03.

again. Corner. From his love IKEA and point of view, Weiss with the

:45:04.:45:10.

corner, you'll want to get bodies around Ward, with it in, get Martin

:45:11.:45:15.

Skrtel in there, it will be a big test for the Welsh goalkeeper. Weiss

:45:16.:45:32.

with the corner. Mak. Hamsik. That was Martin Skrtel!

:45:33.:45:45.

Am pretty certain he was in an offside... He wasn't, when the ball

:45:46.:45:55.

was played. That linesman on the far side... He just tried to step out,

:45:56.:46:02.

Ashley Williams. Timed his run so well. It was Hamsik on the

:46:03.:46:06.

right-hand side that time cutting inside and ruling the ball to the

:46:07.:46:10.

far post and Skrtel just couldn't reach it. One additional minute.

:46:11.:46:16.

Taylor, for Wales. This is the contentious moment. Do

:46:17.:46:43.

Riga with the header -- Durica with the header. Kucka, to Mak. Davies!

:46:44.:47:03.

Bale! Chance. Look at that, aggressive in their defending.

:47:04.:47:06.

Davies wins the ball and drives forward. He gives the ball to Bale,

:47:07.:47:11.

it was perfectly set for him to whip it with his left foot, as the

:47:12.:47:15.

half-time whistle goes, 1-0 Wales. A really good foot if -- 45 and its

:47:16.:47:24.

four Wales. Matus Kozacik will not be happy with how dealt with it. A

:47:25.:47:30.

very contentious Martin Skrtel challenge on Jonny Williams. One

:47:31.:47:34.

delightful little cameo from Hamsik while it was still 0-0. He's done it

:47:35.:47:40.

once, he could do it again... But at half-time in Bordeaux, Wales 1-0

:47:41.:47:45.

Slovakia. STUDIO

:47:46.:47:48.

So far so good for Wales. The game plan is working, Bale has delivered

:47:49.:47:54.

and Dean Saunders is buzzing! Absolutely brilliant, can't believe

:47:55.:47:59.

we've played that well. Had a bit of a scare early on, great clearance

:48:00.:48:03.

from then and then Gareth Bale from the free kick. But in general play I

:48:04.:48:07.

think we deserved to be winning. I think they've all done great. We

:48:08.:48:12.

look like a team. Handling the pressure really well, Rio?

:48:13.:48:15.

Definitely, you can see the unity between the side, the number of caps

:48:16.:48:19.

they've got between them, they seem really comfortable playing with each

:48:20.:48:22.

other. They've got here through the camaraderie between the team, the

:48:23.:48:27.

unity they've created. They look like they're playing a normal game.

:48:28.:48:31.

Doesn't look like they're faced with the atmosphere. What's pleasing is

:48:32.:48:35.

to see the likes of Jonny Williams, Ramsey, Bale and Edwards all passing

:48:36.:48:38.

the ball comfortably with each other. They can play the ball wide

:48:39.:48:43.

when they need to get out of trouble. How impressed have you

:48:44.:48:48.

been, Alan? Very, don't think you can be anything but impressed. Apart

:48:49.:48:51.

from the first couple of minutes when Hamsik at that opportunity,

:48:52.:48:55.

Wales have been of slippy brilliant. They've done everything asked of

:48:56.:48:59.

them. They've played so tight, not given Slovakia any space. The early

:49:00.:49:03.

scare you talked about when Hamsik went through, what a sensational bit

:49:04.:49:07.

of defending from Ben Davies. Firstly the skill from Hamsik was

:49:08.:49:12.

tremendous. Gareth Bale started the game by giving the ball away twice

:49:13.:49:16.

in a couple of seconds really! But they win the ball back here, Bale

:49:17.:49:22.

gives it away... And then Hamsik here, beautiful feet. He sends three

:49:23.:49:28.

or four of them... But then Ben Davies, this is the art of

:49:29.:49:31.

defending, never giving up, always feeling you're going to have some

:49:32.:49:35.

influence. Then with his weaker foot, he clears off the line, which

:49:36.:49:40.

is very difficult. Hamsik can do no more, other than put it in the back

:49:41.:49:44.

of the net. That is the equivalent of scoring a goal, from Davis. And

:49:45.:49:48.

then Gareth Bale steps up. The goalkeeper may be at fault, but he

:49:49.:49:52.

won't care at all! You're right, the goalkeeper makes an absolute mess of

:49:53.:49:58.

it. We looked at free kicks that Wales have had an Gareth Bale have

:49:59.:50:03.

had, that was against Israel, that was against Andorra, both to the

:50:04.:50:09.

goalkeeper's side, and he tries to cheat here, he goes to the

:50:10.:50:14.

goalkeeper's side too early. I have to give credit to Gareth Bale,

:50:15.:50:18.

because he's put the other two that side, I think he thinks the keeper

:50:19.:50:24.

thinks he will go there. It's a good striker, absolutely. Wales

:50:25.:50:27.

thoroughly deserve that. When I was playing, I hated seeing Nicky keeper

:50:28.:50:34.

gamble -- the keeper gamble and try and make a yard. What about those

:50:35.:50:42.

celebrations! Team spirit! All together there, Dean. That's a

:50:43.:50:46.

brilliant shot, they should show that forever! It shows how everyone

:50:47.:50:50.

in the squad, the lads who aren't playing, all the backroom staff, how

:50:51.:50:54.

excited they are and how together they are as a group. You can watch

:50:55.:51:01.

the clip back all night! What I'm most pleased about, I think the

:51:02.:51:06.

manager has got it spot on. The tactics have been perfect. Instead

:51:07.:51:08.

of trying to play through this team who have been solid, they've worked

:51:09.:51:12.

it out early that the way to get around this system is to hit long,

:51:13.:51:17.

diagonal balls. Not try and play through the middle while you're

:51:18.:51:20.

getting counter-attacked. Chris Gunter has been on the ball more

:51:21.:51:25.

than anybody. First, Wales should have had a penalty, shouldn't they?

:51:26.:51:30.

It was a blatant elbow, wasn't it? Red card, penalty, 100%. Why doesn't

:51:31.:51:37.

the official give this? He's actually two yards away from that!

:51:38.:51:43.

He's looking at him. This is like WWE, I'd take my kids to watch this!

:51:44.:51:48.

I was talking to Kevin Friend about this and I asked him if the extra

:51:49.:51:53.

officials have an influence and he said yes, they talk to you as the

:51:54.:51:58.

game is going on. One of them gave a penalty last night in the France

:51:59.:52:01.

game. I think he's watching the ball and he's not actually watching the

:52:02.:52:04.

players. He must have missed it because it was so blatant. Wales

:52:05.:52:09.

really hard done by there. We've got a note of examples about how Wales

:52:10.:52:13.

are switching play tactically. Because Chris Coleman would have

:52:14.:52:17.

looked at it and not direct centre forwards, they're just coming off

:52:18.:52:21.

the centre halves and the two full-backs are pushing so far

:52:22.:52:23.

forward and that's always an outlet for them. What Slovakia want you to

:52:24.:52:27.

do, they want you to probe all through the middle so they can hit

:52:28.:52:33.

you on the bench. Wales are not doing that, they are spreading the

:52:34.:52:37.

play. The two wingbacks are really wide and giving them with. This ball

:52:38.:52:41.

comes to Gareth Bale who again finds the full-back as an outlet again and

:52:42.:52:45.

has been said, that has been on a lot of the times, that is one

:52:46.:52:50.

full-back crossing it in and a wingback in the box there. Wales did

:52:51.:52:55.

that brilliantly for 45 minutes. What will happen now, their manager

:52:56.:52:59.

is going to say we cannot keep letting Chris Gunter and Neil Taylor

:53:00.:53:04.

put these balls in, so the wide players will start playing a bit

:53:05.:53:07.

wider, then Wales can go through the middle. You expect Chris Coleman to

:53:08.:53:12.

be saying that? Yes, they can't expect Chris Gunter to keep crossing

:53:13.:53:15.

balls from the byline, you get over there and the minute the midfield

:53:16.:53:18.

player spread, play through them. The first thing he will be saying to

:53:19.:53:22.

them as they come out for the second half is, don't concede. Don't give

:53:23.:53:26.

them any time and let them get their confidence up. Keep them at bay. So

:53:27.:53:34.

far so good for Wales. As for England, they kick off their

:53:35.:53:36.

campaign in a couple of hours. Russia the opposition. We can now

:53:37.:53:39.

hear from Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson.

:53:40.:53:44.

Jordan. When you injured your knee in April, tell me about the emotions

:53:45.:53:54.

that you feared, that this summer might not happen? Yeah, I was

:53:55.:53:58.

obviously very disappointed. I'd been through quite a lot this season

:53:59.:54:02.

already, so to suffer another injury which was pretty bad as well was

:54:03.:54:06.

hard to take. I was still quite positive throughout because I knew

:54:07.:54:14.

if I work as hard as I could, I could get back in time. I had to

:54:15.:54:18.

prove my fitness but the manager gave us every chance to do that. I

:54:19.:54:22.

feel I'm in a good place now and hopefully can contribute to the

:54:23.:54:25.

team. Your third major tournament, at 25, you're kind of like a senior

:54:26.:54:30.

player now! Yeah, it doesn't really feel like it, I still feel quite

:54:31.:54:37.

young but a lot of the lads in the squad have sunk with experience from

:54:38.:54:40.

the last two tournaments. I think we could have done a lot better in both

:54:41.:54:43.

but I think hopefully this could be the one that we could do well in.

:54:44.:54:47.

Let's talk about the opening game because you also experienced opening

:54:48.:54:50.

games in major tournaments a couple of times. How do you see it now?

:54:51.:54:55.

Every game is important but the first one, it's just important to

:54:56.:54:58.

get off to a good start and give everyone the confidence and leave

:54:59.:55:04.

everything on the field. If we do that I'm positive we can get a good

:55:05.:55:07.

result. At the same time you can't be naive and just look at Russia,

:55:08.:55:10.

you have to look at the clips and the way they've played, watching

:55:11.:55:13.

games. What have you learned? I can't be telling you our secrets! We

:55:14.:55:19.

know what they are good at and what they're not good at on the pitch,

:55:20.:55:23.

but I can't tell you those. England have had a view different

:55:24.:55:26.

formations, different personnel. Roy Hodgson has an issue trying to get

:55:27.:55:31.

everyone fit. Is that what it's like on the inside? It's obviously

:55:32.:55:34.

difficult for a manager to pick 11 out of 23 but that's always the

:55:35.:55:38.

case. Especially with the talent we got in the group. Do you know now

:55:39.:55:46.

the way your setup on Saturday? Yes. Yep. I think we can play the same

:55:47.:55:56.

way but with different formations. We can play well whichever formation

:55:57.:56:01.

the manager chooses. And you can see highlights of the game on BBC One at

:56:02.:56:09.

10:35pm. Alan and Rio will be offering instant analysis of the

:56:10.:56:14.

match on the Facebook page at half-time. To live matches tomorrow,

:56:15.:56:19.

world champions Germany take on Ukraine in Group C. Before that,

:56:20.:56:25.

Northern Ireland play Poland in Nice. Wigan striker Will Grigg the

:56:26.:56:31.

unlikely name on every one plus lips going into the game.

:56:32.:56:35.

You know what happens next... Will Grigg's on fire... Your defence is

:56:36.:56:48.

terrified... Will Grigg's on fire! What do you put your great

:56:49.:56:55.

goal-scoring form down to? My aim at Wigan was to score 20 plus goals and

:56:56.:56:59.

I managed to do it. I couldn't put my finger on the actual thing that

:57:00.:57:02.

we had a good side and I created -- we created a lot of chances. How is

:57:03.:57:08.

the whole mood within the Northern Ireland squad? Is it one of

:57:09.:57:14.

excitement or one of trepidation? I think at the moment it is pure

:57:15.:57:19.

excitement. We've proved in the campaign that one of the reasons we

:57:20.:57:22.

are successful is because we've got such a tight knit group and good

:57:23.:57:27.

team spirit. As soon as we meet up, the boys bond well together. We're

:57:28.:57:32.

looking forward to it. How much stick have they giving you about

:57:33.:57:37.

this song? # Will Grigg's on fire

:57:38.:57:45.

# Your defence is terrified # Will Grigg's on fire! I didn't

:57:46.:57:52.

think it would be so big! You know, it's been nice. The fans have done

:57:53.:57:59.

well with it. I think the timing helped and when the fans are singing

:58:00.:58:04.

it for 89 minutes of every single game, it gives you an extra boost.

:58:05.:58:07.

So yeah, it's been brilliant. LAUGHTER

:58:08.:58:12.

No thank you, I've heard enough of it! A little rendition in the

:58:13.:58:20.

studio? Nah! Back to today and Jason is with John Hartson in Bordeaux. We

:58:21.:58:24.

said at the start of this tournament that Gareth Bale would be the

:58:25.:58:29.

difference and so it proved, John? Absolutely, it was the right

:58:30.:58:33.

distance for him, that free kick, 30 yards out and nobody 's was taking

:58:34.:58:38.

that! He's hit it with such hip and precision, the way these football 's

:58:39.:58:45.

move, people might question the goalkeeper's positioning but not for

:58:46.:58:49.

me. It has dipped so much and beaten him on his bottom right hand side,

:58:50.:58:52.

the goalkeeper has no chance. Hit with some power as well. Aaron

:58:53.:58:56.

Ramsey has been terrific in this first half, especially on the ball,

:58:57.:59:00.

John. He's covered every blade of grass. Him and Joe Allen have been

:59:01.:59:06.

fantastic. Also without the ball, the workrate that the Welsh players

:59:07.:59:10.

have put in, there's no way through. The. They have a threat in Hamsik

:59:11.:59:15.

but that's about it. There centre forward Duris, all he's done is foul

:59:16.:59:19.

and give the ball away. I wouldn't be surprised if they take him off.

:59:20.:59:23.

The fans have been utterly incredible as well. A nerve wracking

:59:24.:59:27.

second-half ahead. It has been an agonising wait but here it is,

:59:28.:59:33.

Slovakia the opposition and these are the proudest Welshman you can

:59:34.:59:44.

imagine. Hamsik! Unbelievable! Bale, for Wales! Wales 1-0 Slovakia! He's

:59:45.:59:47.

done it again! That is shocking. Well, as John Hartson said, the

:59:48.:00:00.

keeper had absolutely no chance with that one. Quick quiz question, has

:00:01.:00:05.

to go to you, Dean, that Gareth Bale was the first in a major

:00:06.:00:08.

championship for Wales since who, in 1958? Cor... Terry Medwyn? Spot on!

:00:09.:00:25.

You win the star prize. There's always a danger that you drop off a

:00:26.:00:29.

bit? I don't think they've got any back-up plan. I think we've just got

:00:30.:00:32.

to keep 11 men on the page, don't give them a goal, don't beat

:00:33.:00:37.

yourself and make them score goal. I think we will get another one. The

:00:38.:00:40.

midfielders have to continue what they have been doing. Control the

:00:41.:00:43.

pace of the game. When it gets too tight in the central areas, use your

:00:44.:00:47.

full banks as your get out. Keep feeding them the ball and giving

:00:48.:00:52.

yourself time to get up. I think the back three have to stay compact and

:00:53.:00:56.

in control of those midfield is in front of them. The great thing about

:00:57.:00:58.

leading in a match like this is that the other team has depressed at some

:00:59.:01:02.

stage and a counterattack is always a possibility. Which should suit

:01:03.:01:04.

Gareth Bale down to the ground. Chris Coleman will say to his

:01:05.:01:14.

players, you are in this position because of togetherness, do not

:01:15.:01:19.

change a thing. You are right, Slovakia will have to chase the

:01:20.:01:23.

game, which hopefully will give Ramsey a bit more space and give

:01:24.:01:28.

Gareth Bale a bit more space. Also you have to manage the physical side

:01:29.:01:33.

of the game, new for the Welsh team. You have to manage that. Hopefully

:01:34.:01:37.

it will be a long tournament for them, they will get through the

:01:38.:01:40.

group stages so don't run yourself into the ground. Control the

:01:41.:01:44.

physical and mental state and it will see a further in the

:01:45.:01:50.

tournament. Gareth Bale's gold that leads the way for Wales, they are

:01:51.:01:54.

leading 1-0 at half-time, if they can hold on it will give them a real

:01:55.:02:01.

boost against England. We've just got to control the game, keep the

:02:02.:02:04.

ball. They look as if they are on the brink of getting a man sent off,

:02:05.:02:10.

really frustrated. They've got to keep passing the ball, do what

:02:11.:02:13.

you've been doing, it's been brilliant. Exactly, right, let's see

:02:14.:02:20.

what transpires in the second half with Robbie Savage and Steve will

:02:21.:02:25.

Thank you, no substitutions from either manager. The free kick is the

:02:26.:02:39.

difference between them. Wales have been much the better side in the

:02:40.:02:46.

first half. Wales to get the second half under way. Terry made the goal

:02:47.:02:57.

in 1958, Wales and hungry finished with exactly the same record in

:02:58.:03:01.

their group and hearts to have a play-off to decide who went to the

:03:02.:03:05.

quarterfinal. Wales won and were beaten by Brazil in Sweden. Ramsey.

:03:06.:03:23.

These few moments import and at the start of this half. I think Chris

:03:24.:03:30.

Coleman will have said, same game boys, you were full of energy and

:03:31.:03:35.

aggressive in defending and they played so high, and at left, as the

:03:36.:03:40.

boys said at half-time. It was a really confident performance in that

:03:41.:03:46.

first half from Wales. James Chester.

:03:47.:03:59.

Jonny Williams, just behind Ramsey, which was a shame, Gunter was there.

:04:00.:04:13.

Getting it back to Jonny Williams. Joe Allen, for Wales.

:04:14.:04:31.

That run again. According to the referee, Ramsey just pulled his

:04:32.:04:51.

opponent's shirt. Let's have a look. Ramsey is pointing to the official

:04:52.:04:55.

behind the goal again. The whistle didn't go, they played on and Ramsey

:04:56.:05:00.

has won the ball. If the referee gives it for about first one, fair

:05:01.:05:09.

enough, but to give the foul, this is why I think he gives a foul but I

:05:10.:05:12.

don't think it was. Hamsik. Durica. Gareth Bale, back to Ramsey. Jonny

:05:13.:05:40.

Williams is alongside them. Just catches Martin Skrtel, there.

:05:41.:05:52.

Ramsey is not the only player at this tournament to have gone blonde,

:05:53.:05:59.

so has Marouane Fellaini! You can see Belgium versus Italy on the BBC

:06:00.:06:02.

on Monday. An interesting look for him.

:06:03.:06:18.

Duris offside. You've got to have some sympathy with him in that first

:06:19.:06:24.

off, he had three defenders against him, the balls to him or not very

:06:25.:06:28.

good and he was scrapping for everything. Playing against three

:06:29.:06:33.

centre halves is very tough. Pekarik. That was from an offside

:06:34.:06:46.

position. Free kick is given from the position

:06:47.:07:17.

in which the player touches the ball. The free kick given for

:07:18.:07:21.

offside in the player's own half as he came back from the opposition

:07:22.:07:33.

half. Crisco Skudder with the throwing, for Wales. -- Chris

:07:34.:07:44.

Kanter. -- Gunter. That is what the fear of not knowing exactly where

:07:45.:07:49.

Gareth Bale is can do to you! I think that Durica lost his bearings

:07:50.:07:53.

and was not sure where Gareth Bale was. Ramsey goes to take it,

:07:54.:08:01.

thousands of travelling Wales fans, great support. Just need a good

:08:02.:08:12.

delivery. The corner, well taken. Kozacik did really well. The corner

:08:13.:08:14.

had floated behind the goal. His movement for the goal wasn't

:08:15.:08:33.

good, if the keeper had stayed where he was he would probably have

:08:34.:08:38.

courted. Poor goalkeeping, that is as confident as he has looked,

:08:39.:08:45.

Kozacik. They do have big tournament experience, ten of their squad were

:08:46.:08:50.

in South Africa at the World Cup. Confidence from Danny Ward in the

:08:51.:08:56.

Wales goal. Just two halves of football for his country before

:08:57.:09:02.

today, he came on at half-time in a game against Northern Ireland in

:09:03.:09:06.

Cardiff and likewise in the defeat against Sweden. Giving his

:09:07.:09:14.

goalkeeper around of applause, pointing to him, good play from

:09:15.:09:22.

Danny Ward. Martin Skrtel. It came off Edwards. It will be a survived

:09:23.:09:27.

in throw. At that World Cup Slovakia started with a draw against New

:09:28.:09:32.

Zealand and then a defeat to Paraguay but they then beat Italy

:09:33.:09:35.

and went through to the second round, where they lost to the

:09:36.:09:44.

Netherlands. A decent ball, Duris could not take it with him. Duris is

:09:45.:09:51.

making his runs into the channels, but there's no player from Slovakia

:09:52.:09:57.

so he can't get forward. They keep breaking down in the final third.

:09:58.:10:07.

Jonny Williams. Most Jonny Williams away. And then Kucka came back and

:10:08.:10:14.

caught Jonny Williams and that's a free kick for Wales and I think

:10:15.:10:18.

they'll be talking to the Slovakian midfielder. I think they will be a

:10:19.:10:24.

word. His 12th cap today, Jonny Williams. He has been really good.

:10:25.:10:29.

Chris Coleman, putting Edwards and Jonny Williams into the team has

:10:30.:10:33.

paid off. Great composure. Going past players. Jonny Williams can be

:10:34.:10:43.

pleased with his performance so far. He has now featured in all of

:10:44.:10:48.

Wales's last six International 's, Jonny Williams.

:10:49.:10:58.

Skrtel getting across. Like a game of Twister! Left foot on the green

:10:59.:11:17.

Square, right arm on the red triangle!

:11:18.:11:41.

Davies. So important, that goal line clearance early in the game. Gareth

:11:42.:11:53.

Bale, running into Hamsik. He lives and about the end of the first half,

:11:54.:11:57.

he has started the second half more quietly which is good for Wales.

:11:58.:12:05.

What an athlete Gunter is. He is at and down all evening. He is up and

:12:06.:12:16.

down all evening. He has played over 50 games... A lovely ball, that is

:12:17.:12:27.

Mak! Alarm bells were ringing. Ashley Williams at the top of the

:12:28.:12:31.

picture tries to play-off side. Taylor goes with the run although

:12:32.:12:38.

with his favoured foot it might be difficult to score from there. But

:12:39.:12:42.

the warning sign for Wales. Playing really well. -- fatties warning sign

:12:43.:12:47.

for Wales. Smack that is a warning sign for

:12:48.:13:02.

Wales. Taylor, to Ramsey. They test for Martin Skrtel. An edge in the

:13:03.:13:08.

back, the referee acknowledges it but play on. Kozacik hazard. When

:13:09.:13:14.

Gareth Bale drops deep it is Ramsey making the run forward, trying to

:13:15.:13:20.

get past the centre forward. Compare that to Slovakia. If Duris drops all

:13:21.:13:26.

goes out wide business body behind him. Well it happened once, -- there

:13:27.:13:40.

is nobody behind him. Weiss accelerating away from Davies. A

:13:41.:13:58.

lovely flick from Ramsey. Gunter. A little heavy, Durica with the

:13:59.:14:03.

intervention, for Slovakia. They have not lost any of their last

:14:04.:14:07.

eight international matches since losing a qualifier against Belarus.

:14:08.:14:12.

A little worry for Wales, Edwards coming here. -- Edwards, here. He's

:14:13.:14:29.

going to run that off, I think. A little blood on the knee.

:14:30.:14:50.

Studs on the kneecap will hurt. He jumps and powers that into the

:14:51.:15:00.

ground. So dangerous in the air, Gareth Bale. A good save by Kozacik.

:15:01.:15:10.

He just scored his 20th goal in international football.

:15:11.:15:35.

Durica. He has the throw. A slightly uncomfortable moment for the

:15:36.:15:41.

centre-half. It's a foul. Jonny Williams seems to

:15:42.:16:02.

be all over the place at the minute. People say it's a tackle from

:16:03.:16:07.

behind. As we see Gareth Bale's chance was not look at Bale, from a

:16:08.:16:13.

standing start, he leaps and towers over the right full-back. Good save

:16:14.:16:29.

cousin -- Matus Kozacik. Weiss moved a bit more central for Slovakia.

:16:30.:16:36.

Went down assuming a free kick. Never assume. Hamsik went down,

:16:37.:16:43.

should have been a free kick to Slovakia in a dangerous area.

:16:44.:16:47.

There's going to be a changed, Michal Duris, the centre forward for

:16:48.:16:54.

Slovakia, is coming off, and he's going to be replaced by Adam Nemec,

:16:55.:17:18.

who plays in Holland. Double change, Patrik Hrosovsky as calm off and the

:17:19.:17:27.

Legia Warsaw player has replaced him. Two changes for Slovakia, who

:17:28.:17:36.

trail by Gareth Bale's free kick to nil.

:17:37.:17:53.

Still... Now the chance! And the equalising goal! Duda, who has only

:17:54.:18:19.

been on the pitch for a matter of seconds, has equalised for Slovakia.

:18:20.:18:28.

Ondrej Duda with the goal. Wales 1-1 Slovakia. Out of nothing. Well, what

:18:29.:18:38.

a substitution. Ramsey gets brushed off. The ball across, beats Ashley

:18:39.:18:47.

Williams. Ben Davies can't stop him. Great run, great desire. Duda just

:18:48.:18:53.

let it roll across his body, great play. He fainted to hit it with his

:18:54.:18:57.

right foot, let it run across his body. There, great little play. And

:18:58.:19:02.

then he puts it in the bottom corner. Great finish, great run from

:19:03.:19:16.

Mak, 1-1. We are right in saying that Ondrej Duda has just scored in

:19:17.:19:21.

his first -- with his first touch in his first game for his country. And

:19:22.:19:32.

it is 1-1. -- his first game in an international tournament. Danger now

:19:33.:19:47.

for the Welsh. Weiss, Kucka goes on, the referee has given the free kick.

:19:48.:19:51.

The game has changed, Robbie. Great run from Weiss. Foul from Edwards,

:19:52.:20:01.

yes he played the ball but after he brought Weiss down. Already in the

:20:02.:20:09.

second-half Mak has created a goal and Weiss is more dynamic. Danger

:20:10.:20:15.

signs for Wales. Well, I hope Ashley Williams is OK. He's got up

:20:16.:20:23.

extremely gingerly. Hamsik or Weiss are going to hit this.

:20:24.:20:33.

Who's it to be? It is Weiss... It's over. Ashley Williams has got a

:20:34.:20:51.

problem. James Collins is suddenly warming up with some urgency down on

:20:52.:20:59.

this near touchline for Wales. It would be a huge blow to lose their

:21:00.:21:07.

skipper, their leader. The Slovakian fans now going mad in the goal away

:21:08.:21:14.

to our right. They've not been great today, Slovakia, but they are a tiny

:21:15.:21:20.

football team -- eight tidy football team. They will be a threat against

:21:21.:21:26.

Wales over the next. On a knife edge again, when it had had seemed so

:21:27.:21:35.

comfortable. Mak... He's made a difference, second-half. Here he is

:21:36.:21:39.

again with another foraging runs are trying to get through Davies will

:21:40.:21:43.

stop goalkick. But his willingness to get forward in the second half

:21:44.:21:49.

has made the difference, Robert Mak. Certainly livened up. Here is the

:21:50.:21:56.

save, there we are. Just confirming. Going back to the goal, Steve, if

:21:57.:22:00.

you were being cynical, maybe the should have brought that man down at

:22:01.:22:05.

the start of the move. It's the way he let the ball run across his body,

:22:06.:22:10.

it boxed the three centre halves, and then the skill and the awareness

:22:11.:22:17.

to hit it reverse across himself to the bottom corner. Suddenly worrying

:22:18.:22:25.

times for Wales. Kucka hits it, Danny Ward! Just as well James

:22:26.:22:31.

Chester was there. Wales are on the back foot for the first time in the

:22:32.:22:35.

game. Slovakia in their faces and that their throats. They have a

:22:36.:22:40.

corner. Marek Hamsik. Comfortable for Ward. With these balls that

:22:41.:22:49.

moving the air is so much... It was a good job James Chester was there

:22:50.:22:53.

to clear the danger. Worrying signs for Chris Coleman and his men.

:22:54.:22:56.

Ashley Williams is moving more smoothly. Durica with the header,

:22:57.:23:13.

climbing above Bale. Weiss forward. Looking for Mak.

:23:14.:23:18.

This could be a really, really tense last 25 minutes now. Taylor. It

:23:19.:23:28.

might be a time for fresh legs, whether it's Ledley or Andy King in

:23:29.:23:33.

the middle of the park. Edwards has done well this afternoon but maybe a

:23:34.:23:37.

bit more experience, with Ledley, or King coming on to shake-up that

:23:38.:23:45.

midfield a bit. A good stage of the game for the Slovakian side. Their

:23:46.:23:54.

best so far. Matus Kozacik forward. Suddenly Wales can't get the ball.

:23:55.:24:07.

Duda, Mak, and again. Joe Ledley is going to be coming on for Wales any

:24:08.:24:14.

minute. Weiss, to Mak. Can't quite get it back into the path of Robert

:24:15.:24:23.

Mak. Joe Ledley, who was injured in that Crystal Palace game on the 7th

:24:24.:24:33.

of May. He fractured his fibula in the game against Stoke. Peter

:24:34.:24:44.

Pekarik, deflected off Taylor. Edwards helps him out. Taylor to

:24:45.:24:51.

clip it away, but every ball is coming back now. No out ball for

:24:52.:24:56.

Wales. This is where you might possibly think somebody like a Sam

:24:57.:25:01.

Vokes just to be that physical presence up there, drop in a bit

:25:02.:25:12.

deeper behind Bale. All Robson-Kanu to run the channels. It's going to

:25:13.:25:16.

be a double change for Wales. Good call, that. Well taken by Mak,

:25:17.:25:42.

well hit! Just too much from Robert Mak. Now a chance for Wales to make

:25:43.:25:46.

those twos of the juices. Two players who Chris Coleman -- two

:25:47.:25:54.

substitutions. Two players who Chris Coleman has been sweating on the

:25:55.:25:58.

fitness of. Hal Robson-Kanu and Joe Ledley are coming on. Dave Edwards

:25:59.:26:12.

is certainly coming off. He has that experience in the middle of the

:26:13.:26:16.

park, Ledley. Ledley is there just to shore things up and settle things

:26:17.:26:21.

down. Ramsey is the other change. Hal Robson-Kanu coming on. "You

:26:22.:26:40.

Sure?" , says Aaron Ramsey. I think he's helped the wrong number up, the

:26:41.:26:46.

official. I can't see him taking off Aaron Ramsey at this stage of the

:26:47.:26:51.

game, with his experience. Robson-Kanu waits. Chester forward.

:26:52.:26:59.

The Slovakian left-back with the header, Marek Hamsik... Oh! Skrtel

:27:00.:27:06.

blocked him off as he was chasing. Not afraid to take a risk, is he,

:27:07.:27:20.

Martin Skrtel? Well, he shouldn't be on the park, for that challenge in

:27:21.:27:25.

the first half. He should have been sent off with a straight red and

:27:26.:27:28.

Wales should have had a penalty. But he wasn't. Robert Mak, a good ball

:27:29.:27:37.

into Weiss. Taylor away but it hasn't really done the job. Here's

:27:38.:27:39.

Hamsik. Chris Gunter has put it out. It will

:27:40.:27:56.

be a Slovakian throw. Now Wales can make the change. It's not Aaron

:27:57.:28:02.

Ramsey! It's Jonny Williams. Yeah, good change from manager Chris

:28:03.:28:09.

Coleman there. What Robson-Kanu will do is run the channels can he's

:28:10.:28:14.

athletic. He will chase lost causes. Jonny Williams, I have to say, very,

:28:15.:28:19.

very good performance. His 12th cap today, coming into the side. He can

:28:20.:28:25.

be really pleased with his afternoon's work. He will get a

:28:26.:28:28.

standing ovation from Chris Coleman. Well, he is standing up anyway! Hal

:28:29.:28:36.

Robson-Kanu comes onto the field for the last 20 minutes.

:28:37.:28:48.

A slice, Slovakia with the throw in. Don't forget that in World Cup

:28:49.:28:54.

qualifying Slovakia are in the same group as both England and Scotland.

:28:55.:29:06.

Duda, the man who scored the goal. Ledley's header. Taylor. Panicking a

:29:07.:29:17.

little bit here, Wales. They can't get out. One or two misplaced

:29:18.:29:18.

passes. Bail, -- They just need the experienced

:29:19.:29:39.

players, Bale, Williams, Ramsey to lead and take charge here. It was

:29:40.:29:44.

just one moment, the Mak run and the Duda Dole and it has changed the

:29:45.:29:47.

game completely in Slovakia's favour. Jan Durica forward. They've

:29:48.:29:59.

got to change the balance of this game, Wales, otherwise there is a

:30:00.:30:03.

clear and present danger they can lose it. Chris Gunter. Bale...

:30:04.:30:17.

Hamsik got an important touch. Great workrate from Hamsik there. He's

:30:18.:30:24.

great going forward but just showing the defensive side of his game,

:30:25.:30:27.

willing to get back and help his side. Just watch this, look at this!

:30:28.:30:35.

OK, Gareth Bale does make a meal of it, but Skrtel has got no eyes on

:30:36.:30:38.

the ball whatsoever, he's just looking at Gareth Bale. Robson-Kanu!

:30:39.:30:46.

Ramsey in the middle, Bale arriving, Joe Ledley too, Ramsey!

:30:47.:30:53.

Close! What an opportunity. Robson-Kanu, he whips in comedy and

:30:54.:31:08.

Ramsey jumped just a little too early? What an opportunity. I think

:31:09.:31:17.

he just jumps slightly too early, what an opportunity, that should

:31:18.:31:22.

have been 2-1 in favour of Wales. Fans of hands and heads. Great ball

:31:23.:31:31.

in from Robson-Kanu. Wales need to be alive. Svento. -- the fans with

:31:32.:31:41.

their hands in their heads. That was well anticipated by Joe Allen. Now

:31:42.:31:53.

can they break? Robson-Kanu. Ramsey. Ramsey's ball in. Went to close to

:31:54.:32:05.

Kozacik. It could be doing- wrong end to end stuff for the last 15

:32:06.:32:09.

minutes. Here is Greenfinity for Slovakia. Svento.

:32:10.:32:40.

-- he came on at a good time, the substitute, because he is getting

:32:41.:32:47.

the kind of support that Duris did not have. To be fair to Adam Nemec,

:32:48.:32:54.

he has brought people into play. He is a more physical presence. He had

:32:55.:33:01.

more space because the Wales back three have dropped off because they

:33:02.:33:04.

are panicking a little and that has allowed him to get on the ball. He

:33:05.:33:11.

hasn't scored a club goal in almost two years. Joe Ledley, to Gareth

:33:12.:33:25.

Bale. Just too strong for Joe Ledley.

:33:26.:33:35.

If you are a striker who doesn't score a goal for two years, either

:33:36.:33:45.

you are not a very good striker or you don't play for very good clubs!

:33:46.:34:17.

WELSH FANS SING WELSH NATIONAL ANTHEM.

:34:18.:34:30.

Chester has done exceptionally well today in that back three. That was

:34:31.:34:49.

well dealt with by Martin Skrtel who has gone down hard. Cramp.

:34:50.:35:05.

Gareth Bale. Did an -- did Hamsik handle it? Wales also. Mak running

:35:06.:35:22.

into Allen. Heavy contact. Wales have the free kick. Mak has the

:35:23.:35:31.

yellow card. He did well in the second half, creating a goal, being

:35:32.:35:38.

more positive, Mak. A little lucky to get a yellow card there, I think.

:35:39.:35:44.

An opportunity now for Ramsey to whip the ball into a dangerous area.

:35:45.:35:51.

We know that Gareth Bale is great in the air. He just needs a good

:35:52.:35:58.

delivery on his right foot. Paige Ramsey, to deliver. Kozacik with a

:35:59.:36:08.

good punch. Positive keeping from Kozacik. He made a good save from

:36:09.:36:15.

Gareth Bale early in this second half. A good punch away. Another

:36:16.:36:28.

free kick. Durica, on Robson-Kanu. He has done very well, Robson-Kanu,

:36:29.:36:39.

since he came on. Gareth Bale, surely not.

:36:40.:36:48.

I would say maybe not 45 yards but 35 yards. I wasn't good at maths!

:36:49.:37:03.

You do is apprise me! -- you do surprise me! Gareth Bale to take it.

:37:04.:37:15.

And Kozacik, this time, held his position and the ball ended up in

:37:16.:37:20.

his midriff. If he had still not in the first half and might have gone

:37:21.:37:24.

there. He learned his lesson from the first half and didn't move,

:37:25.:37:33.

comfortable save. The referee is going to get his card and again. It

:37:34.:37:45.

is going to be a third yellow card for Slovakia, Hrosovsky in the first

:37:46.:37:54.

half, and now Jonny Williams. Wales have ridden it out.

:37:55.:38:13.

Chester. Joe Ledley. It's a good ball. Ramsey, Robson-Kanu! It is! --

:38:14.:38:35.

it is in the! Hal Robson-Kanu, for Wales! Another substitute, another

:38:36.:38:48.

goal, Wales are back in front with ten minutes to play! Absolutely

:38:49.:39:00.

fantastic ball. He makes it past Martin Skrtel and then Robson-Kanu,

:39:01.:39:04.

on his left foot, it goes between the legs of Durica. Look at Ramsey,

:39:05.:39:14.

in a great position. Durica cannot get there, he scuffs the shot,

:39:15.:39:19.

Robson-Kanu but who cares? It's in the net. Wales, 2-1. Look at the

:39:20.:39:26.

contact. The left shin, it doesn't matter. Shin and in. Wales, 2-1.

:39:27.:39:39.

Robson-Kanu has been brilliant since he has come on. Great introduction

:39:40.:39:44.

by Chris Coleman. Both managers have used their substitutes so very well

:39:45.:39:51.

today. Accent that one, Robson-Kanu, off his gym, who cares. -- but, that

:39:52.:40:03.

one, Robson can you, of his shin. It's a foul by Kucka on Gareth Bale.

:40:04.:40:11.

I think he will be the fourth Slovakian player to end up in the

:40:12.:40:12.

referee's notebook. The little foul. There's going to be a third

:40:13.:40:40.

Slovakian change. Weiss is going off.

:40:41.:40:54.

Stoch is coming on. No, cannot Wales hold this lead for what remains, in

:40:55.:41:06.

Bordeaux? Slovakia got the equaliser, Wales have ridden out the

:41:07.:41:10.

storm and ridden back into the game. Ramsey could have scored with a

:41:11.:41:17.

header, and hopefully from the Welsh perspective, Robson-Kanu has the

:41:18.:41:17.

winner. The referee did not have a good view

:41:18.:41:37.

of that incident. It is given away, rather poorly, by Kucka. Taylor

:41:38.:41:44.

forward. Gareth Bale, that was a marvellous ball. That might have

:41:45.:41:54.

been something very special. Here is Mak, for Slovakia. Good work from

:41:55.:42:07.

the Welsh goalkeeper, Ward. What a ball from Gareth Bale, of his left

:42:08.:42:12.

foot. A good run from Ramsey, just couldn't gather it. Taylor thought

:42:13.:42:20.

that he was fouled. Slightly unconvincing fall to the ground.

:42:21.:42:41.

Stoch top scored for the Republic of Ireland in Dublin in a game that

:42:42.:42:48.

finished 2-2. Wales will be hoping this doesn't go the same way. Kucka.

:42:49.:43:14.

Duda. And Adam Lallana has hit the post! -- Adam Nemec has hit the

:43:15.:43:32.

post! That was close. A great header, he hadn't scored in two

:43:33.:43:36.

years, as is they, but that was great. Right at the post. I think he

:43:37.:43:41.

was beating the keeper. A bit of luck for Wales. Martin Skrtel.

:43:42.:43:56.

Pekarik. Skrtel. Out by Gunter. Mak can lay it up for Duda. Gareth Bale.

:43:57.:44:19.

Ramsey is to his left and he may not need him, he is running at Durica

:44:20.:44:23.

comic he has fed Ramsey, can Ramsey finish it? Gareth Bale. Durica. A

:44:24.:44:37.

corner, for Wales. I think Ramsey had it on his right foot. We will

:44:38.:44:45.

see the header from Adam Nemec that hit the post. Going back to Gareth

:44:46.:44:50.

Bale's chance, you see him getting across, Williams. The keeper beating

:44:51.:44:51.

him. Think Ramsey has diluted first time

:44:52.:45:04.

on his right foot. - Ramsey has two hit it first time on his right foot.

:45:05.:45:07.

Wales have a corner, Ramsey will take it.

:45:08.:45:12.

WHISTLE Last substitution, Aaron Ramsey is

:45:13.:45:36.

coming off this time. Jazz Richards is coming on. Performed very well,

:45:37.:45:47.

Aaron Ramsey, gets a standing ovation from the Welsh fans. Great

:45:48.:45:55.

second goal. Maybe could have shot there, but he has been very

:45:56.:45:58.

influential in this Welsh team today. Good performance, Aaron

:45:59.:46:07.

Ramsey. Two minutes to get through, plus added time.

:46:08.:46:24.

Pekarik, found space. Clever ball through to Mak. Good defending, well

:46:25.:46:49.

read. Ashley Williams comes across and sees the danger, dealt with it

:46:50.:46:51.

well. Jan Durica Slovakia. Up towards Adam

:46:52.:47:11.

Nemec, who hit the post moments ago. Here is Bale, two on two. Hal

:47:12.:47:16.

Robson-Kanu the other. Bale! Bale again, maybe. Pushing for that

:47:17.:47:30.

equaliser, Slovakia, leaving gaps. Now to opportunities for Wales to

:47:31.:47:34.

kill this game off. Will they pay for these missed chances? -- two

:47:35.:47:39.

opportunities. Miroslav Stoch has continued his run and here he is.

:47:40.:47:46.

Six in this attack in blue. In from Hamsik to the back post, out by

:47:47.:47:48.

Chris Gunter! Wild from Robert Mak. 'S first header of the afternoon

:47:49.:47:59.

there, got to head the ball back out wide and not to the danger area.

:48:00.:48:04.

He's got to head the ball out wide, not back into the danger area, where

:48:05.:48:14.

it fell to Mak's left foot and smashed it from a Wales perspective

:48:15.:48:18.

thankfully high over the bar. The number is four minutes into added

:48:19.:48:24.

time. Minimum of four minutes added time. Not to say, what an enjoyable

:48:25.:48:27.

game. End-to-end stuff at time. The -- Slovakia have come back into the

:48:28.:48:38.

game well. On the whole I think Wales have just about deserved the

:48:39.:48:39.

2-1 lead. Can they create one last

:48:40.:49:02.

opportunity, Slovakia? Martin Skrtel. Marek Hamsik.

:49:03.:49:08.

Hamsik is lurking. Kucka... CHEERING

:49:09.:49:19.

Good challenged by Davies. Which way is that throw going? First

:49:20.:49:33.

he's got to deal with Martin Skrtel, and Martin Skrtel gets a yellow

:49:34.:49:38.

card. Like we saw, Ben Davies, brilliant first challenge, really

:49:39.:49:43.

and second challenge and Skrtel flies in, ridiculously. He shouldn't

:49:44.:49:50.

be on the pitch anyway, he should have been sent off in the first

:49:51.:49:55.

half. Just watch this, the challenge from Ben Davies was fair, committed.

:49:56.:50:00.

Look at Skrtel flying in there. Contact is not necessary.

:50:01.:50:17.

It has used up some of those four minutes. Davies.

:50:18.:50:42.

Skrtel to Pekarik. Play on, says the referee, after Ledley fouled Duda.

:50:43.:51:05.

Bale's header. The referee has had a look at the watch on his left wrist.

:51:06.:51:08.

He has the whistle in his right hand. It goes long for Jan Durica

:51:09.:51:17.

and that might just do it. It might just do it! 40 seconds of the added

:51:18.:51:20.

time to play. Kucka. Have another look at your

:51:21.:51:49.

watch, refs! Hamsik forward, too hi, he's offside anyway. It's going to

:51:50.:51:54.

be a free kick to Wales for offside against Adam Nemec. Four minutes

:51:55.:51:58.

indicated and the four minutes are up now. You cannot speak highly

:51:59.:52:04.

enough of this Wales team. They were under pressure when it was 1-1.

:52:05.:52:11.

Hopefully they have got the winning goal. I think when Danny Ward clears

:52:12.:52:16.

this, the referee will blow his whistle.

:52:17.:52:20.

CHEERING And the party will begin! 58 years

:52:21.:52:36.

of waiting! 58 years and victory in their first game back on the big

:52:37.:52:45.

stage. Hal Robson-Kanu with the winning goal. Gareth Bale set them

:52:46.:52:52.

on their way. And although Andre Duda equalised for Slovakia, who

:52:53.:52:58.

then had a very good spell, Wales have won. -- Ondrej Duda. And you've

:52:59.:53:05.

got to give Chris Coleman massive credit. He resisted the temptation

:53:06.:53:09.

to play the three people carrying knocks. He left out Ledley and it

:53:10.:53:19.

was Ramsey's pass the Hal Robson-Kanu to get the winning goal.

:53:20.:53:22.

Each and every one of those players in a red shirt have been absolutely

:53:23.:53:27.

unbelievable. What a team, what a performance. And now, Steve, the

:53:28.:53:30.

pressure goes on England against Russia. A new bit of history and

:53:31.:53:36.

Welsh sport, not just Welsh football, Welsh sport. Wales 2-1

:53:37.:53:41.

Slovakia. STUDIO

:53:42.:53:43.

And well might Gareth Bale celebrate. It has been a long wait

:53:44.:53:47.

but boy, it has been worth it for this Welsh team. Three points in the

:53:48.:53:53.

bag and Wales are up and running, with a crucial victory and a real

:53:54.:53:58.

team performance there. They were brilliant. They had to dig deep in

:53:59.:54:03.

that second half. We were quick to praise Didier Deschamps last night

:54:04.:54:09.

when he took Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba off, but credit to Chris

:54:10.:54:14.

Coleman tonight because he had to change it because the game was

:54:15.:54:20.

flowing against him. His substitutions worked a treat. Yes

:54:21.:54:24.

their backs were against the wall but they came out on top and didn't

:54:25.:54:29.

give up. What an unbelievable team spirit they worked hard and they

:54:30.:54:33.

deserved to get that win. I think it shows you what a bit of harmony

:54:34.:54:40.

does, it gives you that belief. The players come on knowing they've got

:54:41.:54:43.

a job to do. Sometimes when people are left out their heads go down,

:54:44.:54:47.

but these guys are a real tight knit squad and they're going to be hard

:54:48.:54:52.

to beat, these guys. Dean, very exciting, very tense last few

:54:53.:54:56.

minutes. Magnificent result for you and your country. What a win.

:54:57.:55:00.

They've been brilliant all afternoon. Like you were saying, the

:55:01.:55:06.

manager has got everything right. Even when it turned against us, the

:55:07.:55:12.

manager has changed it, pushed three up top and they've started coming at

:55:13.:55:16.

us a bit and at 1-1 I thought we were going to lose the game. We

:55:17.:55:20.

could have lost the game right there. We got our composure, Joe

:55:21.:55:24.

Ledley came on and Robson-Kanu has won us the game a tremendous! Great

:55:25.:55:30.

scenes there, Wales fans enjoying every moment of this. We can win it!

:55:31.:55:36.

LAUGHTER Stranger things have happened in the

:55:37.:55:40.

European Championships. There was a moment when you thought it was

:55:41.:55:43.

slipping away, they've regained their composure and they got an

:55:44.:55:46.

opportunity at the other end and put it away. They could have even gone

:55:47.:55:52.

3-1 up. There you go Dean, top of the group! They deserve it. We put

:55:53.:55:56.

so much into the first half. There were some players there who missed a

:55:57.:55:59.

bit of training, Joe Allen one, out on their feet. Some of their players

:56:00.:56:07.

had cramp, a view? There. Questions asked in the second half because Jan

:56:08.:56:12.

Kozak changed it, the coach of Slovakia and put another two

:56:13.:56:15.

forwards up there because that is what they were lacking in the first

:56:16.:56:19.

half. They had one guy up there and the ball was constantly coming off

:56:20.:56:22.

him and going back. He put three up and said get support into the centre

:56:23.:56:28.

forward, Adam Nemec. Duda came on and scored with his first touch.

:56:29.:56:32.

They were asking some serious questions of Wales, but Chris

:56:33.:56:35.

Coleman had the guts and he changed it as he had to, I think, and it

:56:36.:56:39.

worked an absolute treat for them. He changed it and it worked. Shall

:56:40.:56:44.

we indulge ourselves and have a look at this goal? The winning goal,

:56:45.:56:48.

vital. This stems from the diagonal ball. They pushed players forward

:56:49.:56:53.

because they are 1-0 down, there's gaps through the middle of the

:56:54.:56:56.

pitch, Joe Ledley comes on as sub and blaze a great ball to Aaron

:56:57.:57:02.

Ramsey and what a strike from Hal Robson-Kanu... Who cares when it

:57:03.:57:07.

hits the target! He has read it and if you keep getting the ball... It

:57:08.:57:14.

doesn't matter when you scuff it, if the luck is review, if you scuff it

:57:15.:57:18.

or it goes through his legs, great, doesn't matter. That's what Centre

:57:19.:57:22.

forwards are there to do, come on and score goals. It's Chris's

:57:23.:57:26.

tactics because they are hitting balls and threatening them and they

:57:27.:57:30.

opened the midfield up and Aaron Ramsey went through the midfield and

:57:31.:57:39.

they threatened the goal. The fact that they equalised as well,

:57:40.:57:43.

Slovakia, it shows you what great character Wales showed coming back

:57:44.:57:49.

from that. Goals change games and they changed the course of this

:57:50.:57:54.

game, first half. I thought Ramsey maybe should have brought him down.

:57:55.:57:58.

It's a great run and the way he lets the ball run across his body is

:57:59.:58:03.

beautiful. Plays it back across himself. But all of a sudden they've

:58:04.:58:06.

now got three bodies in the box when there attacking Slovakia. They

:58:07.:58:09.

didn't have that first half because the coach changed it and he wanted

:58:10.:58:15.

his substitutes to make an impact. The first 15 minutes of the first

:58:16.:58:19.

half, the Wales midfield, it was too easy for them to thread balls

:58:20.:58:23.

through to their strikers and get turned and faced the back three of

:58:24.:58:26.

Wales. That's something they're going to need to work on in the

:58:27.:58:32.

debrief tomorrow. That goal by Duda was the first goal scored against

:58:33.:58:36.

Wales in a major tournament since 1958. The last player to score

:58:37.:58:45.

against them was a certain Mr Pele, so not bad company he is in! Let's

:58:46.:58:51.

hear from one of Wales's biggest stars, Gareth Bale. Can you sum up

:58:52.:58:56.

how you feel? This Welsh fairy tale just keeps going. It was like a home

:58:57.:59:01.

game today! Our fans are the best in the world and they fully got behind

:59:02.:59:04.

us tonight and gave us something -- we gave them some thing to

:59:05.:59:08.

celebrate. With the red dragon on your chest here in a major

:59:09.:59:12.

tournament, where does that goal rank? Definitely right up there. An

:59:13.:59:16.

historic moment for our country and the most important thing is that it

:59:17.:59:20.

doesn't matter about the goals or whatever but we got the three points

:59:21.:59:23.

and we gave our fans something to cheer. I know you're a very close

:59:24.:59:28.

group and Hal Robson-Kanu has had a difficult summer, no club at the

:59:29.:59:33.

moment, what a moment for him and for you all. Yes, as I said, Hal

:59:34.:59:37.

Robson-Kanu to get the winner, the substitutes came on and made an

:59:38.:59:40.

impact and he was amazing when he came on. It's a squad game, we all

:59:41.:59:44.

know that, everyone has their part to play and we will keep fighting.

:59:45.:59:48.

England next, it just keeps going on, much more to come from you guys?

:59:49.:59:53.

Definitely, we're taking it one game as it comes but we're not thinking

:59:54.:00:01.

about this game any more, it's on to England. We've done the first part,

:00:02.:00:04.

two more to go, and we will keep fighting on. Here's an interesting

:00:05.:00:10.

stat for you, chaps. The first British team to win their opening

:00:11.:00:13.

game ever in the European Championships! You've got to get

:00:14.:00:19.

points on the board. We used to just say get a draw... That's the way we

:00:20.:00:22.

used to work it! LAUGHTER

:00:23.:00:26.

But seriously, get points on the board early on because everyone is a

:00:27.:00:31.

bit apprehensive before the first game. Once you've done that you can

:00:32.:00:35.

become a bit more confident and go for things. They will be a lot more

:00:36.:00:38.

relaxed once they play against England. It puts the pressure on

:00:39.:00:41.

England now in the first game, they've got to get a win. The

:00:42.:00:46.

manager has asked them to do a job tonight, Wales. Ask them to go and

:00:47.:00:50.

put a performance, when the pressure is on them. Every single one of

:00:51.:00:53.

those players will be proud of their performance because everything

:00:54.:00:56.

they've tried has worked perfectly for them, I think. Here's another

:00:57.:01:01.

stat, Gareth Bale's free kick was the first door directly by a British

:01:02.:01:04.

player ever in the European Championships! There you go. Worth

:01:05.:01:10.

seeing again. -- first scored directly. You can show players DVDs

:01:11.:01:15.

and maybe they've shown him Gareth Bale's DVDs and he has gambled. I

:01:16.:01:21.

know Joe Hart said he has no chance but it's the opposite, he has to

:01:22.:01:25.

save this! I'm not a keeper but surely you wait for the ball to come

:01:26.:01:30.

over the wall before you decide which way to go. He's gambled too

:01:31.:01:35.

much. Four steps, too late. He's trying to anticipate the ball going

:01:36.:01:40.

to his left. If it goes over the wall and into the top left hand

:01:41.:01:44.

corner, the goalkeeper should stick his hand up and say great ability, I

:01:45.:01:47.

couldn't get there. But he's gambled and he's failed. Like Dean said

:01:48.:01:52.

before, it's not just the players, it's all the staff on the bench and

:01:53.:01:57.

all the subs all giving it some. It shows you when people say players

:01:58.:02:02.

don't care any more. Gareth Bale is not playing for money. You're not

:02:03.:02:06.

getting played to pay out there. -- paid to play out there. He just

:02:07.:02:10.

loves playing for Wales. I'm delighted. Orders and that three

:02:11.:02:11.

points might be enough. Hearts in our mouths with the header

:02:12.:02:22.

towards the end of the game. They were pushing forward in numbers into

:02:23.:02:28.

the box. Two in there, three in there, good movement, he checks his

:02:29.:02:34.

stride, appealing for handball, hits the post. They rode their luck a

:02:35.:02:41.

little but they deserved it. That is what you should do, put your arm

:02:42.:02:45.

across people and get in front of them, very, very good. Wales had

:02:46.:02:50.

other chances, it wasn't just Slovakia putting on the pressure,

:02:51.:02:54.

towards the end of the game they had opportunities in the second half.

:02:55.:03:02.

They all looked very accomplished in what they were doing. This is great

:03:03.:03:08.

athleticism from Gareth Bale. Brushing off the defender. Another

:03:09.:03:14.

day he might have put that away. He's had five strikes at goal today,

:03:15.:03:22.

Gareth He does in every game. Great work from Robson-Kanu, it's just

:03:23.:03:31.

that Ramsey goes to early. All of us was screaming, go, this is your

:03:32.:03:36.

moment, Gareth Bale, halfway line, loads of grass, he passes it and

:03:37.:03:39.

Ramsey should have hit that first time. He did that to me at Old

:03:40.:03:54.

Trafford, why didn't he do it there! He rose all over the pitch, and

:03:55.:03:58.

unbelievable clearance from Ben Davies, worth seeing again. They

:03:59.:04:07.

will be showing this years, if we go further in this tournament they will

:04:08.:04:11.

show this the years. He showed why he gets goals at the highest level

:04:12.:04:17.

as well. It's a brilliant fake way he goes to shoot with his right foot

:04:18.:04:23.

and he beats three men. This is summed up Wales, giving everything

:04:24.:04:28.

for the cause. I know it was early in the game but that epitomised the

:04:29.:04:35.

performance. He's lucky that he can get his feet together. That was as

:04:36.:04:44.

good as a goal. A mention for the goalkeeper. If we had lost today, we

:04:45.:04:51.

could have said it was because we lost our keeper before the game that

:04:52.:04:56.

he did well, Danny Ward. We can hear from the matchwinner himself,

:04:57.:05:01.

Robson-Kanu. What a moment, talk me through that winning goal. Rambo has

:05:02.:05:08.

done great and opens in space and I managed to direct the ball into the

:05:09.:05:12.

corner. Not the best finish but the finish nevertheless it and we were

:05:13.:05:17.

delighted. What a job for you, you are looking for a club and to score

:05:18.:05:21.

a winning goal in a major championship is not about advert!

:05:22.:05:25.

It's not something I'm thinking about now, we'll sit down at the end

:05:26.:05:28.

of the tournament and make a decision. Today is about the nation

:05:29.:05:32.

and this competition and hopefully we can do the nation proud again. As

:05:33.:05:39.

we have today. Next, England, one to savour, you'll have put pressure on

:05:40.:05:45.

them today. The focus is definitely on us. We've done the job today. It

:05:46.:05:52.

is our next game and we will be fully focused on that. Well done.

:05:53.:06:00.

Thank you. Given the way the tournament has spread its wings with

:06:01.:06:03.

two teams going through plus third and fourth place that is but Wales

:06:04.:06:09.

on a fabulous position, they are almost there already, and they? Not

:06:10.:06:13.

only that, it gives them believe that they belong at this level.

:06:14.:06:17.

They've got the confidence to get results. Make no bones about it,

:06:18.:06:22.

they deserve it, because of their workrate, their efforts, their

:06:23.:06:25.

commitment, and their good play. They played some very, very good

:06:26.:06:29.

football. You mentioned Joe Allen is one of the heroes committee is here.

:06:30.:06:39.

Joe, congratulations, Man of the Match, how please don't you with

:06:40.:06:41.

your performance? Never mind my performance, the team, they were

:06:42.:06:46.

brilliant. To go out, get pegged back, for a spell we were against

:06:47.:06:50.

the ropes, we dug deep like we always do, this is what the team is

:06:51.:06:54.

all about, digging and grinding. When we got the second goal with a

:06:55.:07:00.

confident we could hold onto it. High energy, high tempo performance.

:07:01.:07:08.

Was it what Chris Coleman wanted at the start, to take the game to

:07:09.:07:13.

Slovakia? He wanted the same approach as we had in qualifying,

:07:14.:07:18.

understanding that we have to work hard off the ball, everyone has to

:07:19.:07:24.

put a shift in, we are a massive threat because we have players like

:07:25.:07:28.

Gareth Bale and Ramsey, and Jonny Williams, coming on, we know that we

:07:29.:07:34.

can hurt teams, this is the type of performance that our fans have come

:07:35.:07:37.

to expect from us and we must go into the next games with the same

:07:38.:07:42.

mindset. You mention the fans come incredible support, three quarters

:07:43.:07:45.

of the stadium was read, how much did they carry you through? From the

:07:46.:07:51.

start they were fully behind us, even that spell where Slovakia was

:07:52.:07:58.

basically on top of us our fans stayed loud. Created a fantastic

:07:59.:08:02.

atmosphere and I think that helps, that helps get that extra 5%, 10%,

:08:03.:08:07.

and of the lads, that makes all the difference. This is a huge statement

:08:08.:08:12.

to the other teams in the group, what's the plan now, go forward and

:08:13.:08:17.

play the same way? Yes, I think so. The message was, if we lose we are

:08:18.:08:26.

not out of the tournament, if we are winning, we are through. This is one

:08:27.:08:31.

of those ticked off. The best case scenario. Our focus now is to make

:08:32.:08:36.

sure that complacency doesn't set in, in our preparations for the next

:08:37.:08:41.

game. Thank you, Joe, congratulations. Before we move on

:08:42.:08:45.

and look at other games including the England game, one final word,

:08:46.:08:50.

some up what this means, the importance, the significance, the

:08:51.:08:53.

achievement Wales have done by winning this? Number one, it has

:08:54.:09:00.

given us believe because a few players will have been nervous, but

:09:01.:09:07.

it did not really matter how we played as long as we got three

:09:08.:09:10.

points, and I think that will be enough to get out of the group. It

:09:11.:09:16.

could well be. We will see. Onto the England football team shortly but

:09:17.:09:19.

we've had more disturbing reports of trouble in Marseille this afternoon.

:09:20.:09:25.

Let's get an update from the BBC sport editor. Sad to report, more

:09:26.:09:30.

violent scenes in the old harbour area of Marseille. A third day of

:09:31.:09:35.

violence involving England fans. More and more Russian and England

:09:36.:09:42.

fans have come to the city and the violence has ratcheted up a little

:09:43.:09:46.

and there have been injuries involving England fans including one

:09:47.:09:50.

serious injury. Thousands of Russian fans have arrived, and in some

:09:51.:09:54.

instances there have been quite well organised gangs of Russian hooligans

:09:55.:09:58.

taking on England's supporters, scenes of bloodied fans having to

:09:59.:10:04.

receive emergency treatment on the streets of Marseille. It was always

:10:05.:10:09.

seen by the authorities as a height risk fixture because of memories of

:10:10.:10:13.

mighty 98 when England last played in the World Cup in France, against

:10:14.:10:17.

Tunisia and England fans rampaged them. The reputation of England

:10:18.:10:23.

supporters has improved dramatically but sadly the scenes this week will

:10:24.:10:26.

do nothing for their reputation going forward. No indeed. In

:10:27.:10:33.

contrast, it has been a relatively calm build up for England this week

:10:34.:10:37.

at their base in Chantilly just north of Paris, they've travelled to

:10:38.:10:41.

Marseille with no major injury worries. We can take a look at the

:10:42.:10:47.

team that Roy has selected to start tonight. Joe Hart is in goal, of

:10:48.:10:54.

course. The Spurs full-back skywalker and the rows either side

:10:55.:11:00.

of Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling. Eric Dier anchors midfield with Dele

:11:01.:11:03.

Alli and Rooney slightly ahead of him. Harry Kane is the spearhead

:11:04.:11:08.

with Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana in support. What do you make

:11:09.:11:16.

of that, Alan Shearer? The big question that needs to be answered

:11:17.:11:20.

is how we will get the best out of Rooney. Don't be surprised if you

:11:21.:11:25.

see him going a little further back and getting the ball off Eric Dier

:11:26.:11:29.

so he can spray midfield passes which will allow Dele Alli to get

:11:30.:11:33.

through and perhaps play in the No ten role and make his runs past

:11:34.:11:40.

Harry Kane. Muggy I am interesting to see how Raheem Sterling does.

:11:41.:11:47.

He's a talented player. Get him high and wired, taking people on, and

:11:48.:11:52.

Harry Kane getting chances and putting them away. This is great for

:11:53.:11:57.

these guys, great stage, young players, young squad, very exciting.

:11:58.:12:03.

Let's get a view from pitch side. Martin, we have just seen that the

:12:04.:12:08.

team, are you happy with the way Roy Hodgson has said the team up, will

:12:09.:12:11.

this allow the attacking play we've seen from players like Dele Alli and

:12:12.:12:18.

Harry Kane? Without a doubt. You've got Dele Alli on one side and Rooney

:12:19.:12:22.

on the other, it's a perfect position. You could play Rooney off

:12:23.:12:27.

the front. This way allows both Dele Alli and Rooney to switch in. I

:12:28.:12:33.

think it's better for the system. Let's not forget the full-backs. We

:12:34.:12:38.

expect Rose and Kyle Walker to fly forward. They will have got would

:12:39.:12:45.

that Wales has topped the group, will they be able to put that out of

:12:46.:12:50.

their mind and impress Russia in the way they need to? You've got to be

:12:51.:12:54.

professional and concentrate on what is ahead. It does put Wales in a

:12:55.:12:59.

strong position but win your game, that is all that England can do

:13:00.:13:07.

tonight. Thank you, Martin. We have given our view on Wales, it is only

:13:08.:13:14.

fair that you give your son England. Noel Jamie Vardy, that's an lucky,

:13:15.:13:20.

he's played and I am and in previous games, he's obviously experimenting,

:13:21.:13:23.

if you play Jamie Vardy upfront and must play with wide players to get

:13:24.:13:35.

the best from him, and that team is Jonny Williams. You were a central

:13:36.:13:41.

defender yourself, do you share those concerns -- that team is

:13:42.:13:49.

4-3-3. Partnership hasn't been formed. To be authoritative you need

:13:50.:13:56.

to play alongside people and form relationships and this hasn't

:13:57.:14:00.

happened in this England team which is why I was championing playing

:14:01.:14:04.

John Stones because it is not like you are breaking up a partnership,

:14:05.:14:09.

there isn't one there. Cahill is there, solid and experienced, he's

:14:10.:14:14.

gone for experience at the back and I can and the sound that. A young

:14:15.:14:20.

side, which is positive in many ways although you could also say that

:14:21.:14:23.

there's not that much experience. They have to play without any fear.

:14:24.:14:29.

Yes, we keep saying, we're piling pressure on these young guys,

:14:30.:14:33.

perhaps we do but they must be able to handle that. Wales have proved

:14:34.:14:37.

they can handle out in their first game. Now it's over to you guys. --

:14:38.:14:43.

Wales can handle that. Now it is their moment, can they produce and

:14:44.:14:48.

when it matters? Will see that shortly. Highlights later. I think

:14:49.:14:53.

the final word should go to Chris Coleman. Your friends again made

:14:54.:14:57.

history, first match in the European Championships, and a first win. I

:14:58.:15:02.

think it is probably my proudest moment, when we came out. Our

:15:03.:15:07.

supporters, they just keep on top in what they've done and the support

:15:08.:15:13.

today was unbelievable. And in the second half when Slovakia got the

:15:14.:15:16.

equaliser, they were looking strong, they were very physical, good team,

:15:17.:15:21.

played well, and the fans sensed that we looked a bit jaded and we

:15:22.:15:25.

were sitting back a bit but we came again and the fans got right behind

:15:26.:15:29.

us and our borrows showed incredible passion and a lot of courage to come

:15:30.:15:35.

back -- our borrows. Incredible attitude and mentality. The game had

:15:36.:15:42.

everything, girls, quite visible, the atmosphere was electric,

:15:43.:15:46.

incredible afternoon -- it had goals. You had Gareth Bale playing

:15:47.:15:51.

for one of the biggest clubs in the world and Hal Robson-Kanu at the

:15:52.:15:54.

moment and attached. It shows that this squad is not just player squad.

:15:55.:16:03.

-- not just a one player squad. When you have one of the best in the

:16:04.:16:06.

world people will talk about him and we don't mind that. When you have

:16:07.:16:11.

Zouma Allan Ramsey, I don't know any better midfielders than him, he is a

:16:12.:16:15.

great player, when you have somebody like Aaron Ramsey we cannot stop

:16:16.:16:19.

people talking about them and they deserve that but the boys appreciate

:16:20.:16:24.

what is behind them, and one does not come with the other, we cannot

:16:25.:16:30.

do without them but they will tell you it doesn't happen without the

:16:31.:16:33.

rest of the guys around them either so it is very much a team thing. We

:16:34.:16:35.

went together and lose together. Historic day for Wales. A historic

:16:36.:16:50.

day for Northern Ireland tomorrow in the first of two live matches. World

:16:51.:16:56.

champions Germany take on Ukraine, also on BBC. Before then, highlights

:16:57.:17:02.

of England against Russia tonight on 10:35pm. Alan and Rio will be

:17:03.:17:09.

offering instant analysis on the Match of the Day Facebook page at

:17:10.:17:13.

half-time in that game. Meanwhile, another big event is drawing near.

:17:14.:17:33.

I think the Welsh fans were making just about as much noise as they

:17:34.:17:40.

make in Glastonbury, that's for sure! Sensational day for Wales.

:17:41.:17:45.

We're just about out of time, so Alan Shearer thank you very much,

:17:46.:17:49.

Rio Ferdinand, see you both later for the highlights. That's it from

:17:50.:17:55.

us. Robson-Kanu the hero. Two great footballing names, one vital goal,

:17:56.:18:01.

three massive points for Wales. Thank you very much, goodbye. And 80

:18:02.:18:06.

it's been an absolutely agonising wait, but here it is. Slovakia the

:18:07.:18:13.

opposition, and these are the proudest Welshman you can imagine.

:18:14.:18:21.

Oh! Unbelievable! Wales 1-0 Slovakia! He's done it again!

:18:22.:18:35.

That is shocking! Here is Mak, and now the chance, Duda, and the

:18:36.:18:51.

equalising goal! Aaron Ramsey with the ball, Robson-Kanu! 58 years of

:18:52.:18:56.

waiting!

:18:57.:18:59.

Download Subtitles

SRT

ASS