Cardiff, Wales. 15th November, 2018. Wales defender Chris Gunter trains ahead of their upcoming friendly against Albania. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
Chris Gunter has eclipsed Neville Southall’s record of 92 caps this evening to become Wales’ male all-time record appearance maker.
After the withdrawals of defenders James Chester and Paul Dummett, manager Ryan Giggs confirmed that Gunter would make his record appearance against Albania.
The 29-year-old Reading defender was named the captain in a rotated side as Wales played Albania at the Elbasan Arena in a friendly.
He will have to make 19 caps though if he is to catch up with Wales’ all-time record appearance maker Jess Fishlock. The Wales talisman made 112 appearances for her country.
Gunter has been playing for Wales for 11 years, after making his debut in a 2-2 draw with New Zealand at the Racecourse Ground.
He still, however, has yet to score for his country and ruled out before the game that he would take a penalty, should Wales have earnt one.
Speaking to BBC Wales, Gunter said: “If there’s a penalty and I’m on the pitch then no, I don’t think so,”
“I wouldn’t want to be in the position of missing and having that on my record and people asking me about that.”
On the night that Wales celebrated the career of a player who has made a number of caps, they also welcomed two new players. Both Daniel James of Swansea City and James Lawrence of Anderlecht made their Wales debuts.
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)
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