Chris Gunter: Wales centurion’s top five moments
Chris Gunter of Wales arrives at the Cardiff City Stadium. Wales v Belarus International Challenge Match at the Cardiff City Stadium. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
A friendly with no fans present almost made the event rather uneventful. However, Chris Gunter recently made history in becoming the first men’s player to reach 100 Wales caps.
An ever-present in the “golden years” of the men’s international side Gunter has gone from devastating defeats to the greatest night in Welsh football. Joining the exclusive club of centenaries with Jess Fishlock, Sophie Ingle, and Loren Dykes; we look back at Gunter’s most iconic moments in a Wales shirt.
Embed from Getty ImagesDebut vs New Zealand
On 26th May 2007 at the Racecourse ground, Gunter took to the pitch to earn his first Wales cap under the tutelage of John Toshack.
The match didn’t get off to the best start, Wales conceding to the all-whites after just two minutes and Gunter managed to pick up a yellow for his troubles in his first half of international football.
However, all greats have to start somewhere and this initial appearance was the starting point for Gunter’s international record.
Embed from Getty ImagesRecord Breaker
11 years on from that game at The Racecourse Ground, not many would’ve thought back then what Gunter would go on to achieve for Wales.
An embarrassing 1-0 defeat, yes. But for Gunter this was the night he finally earned the title “Wales most capped player”.
Earning his 93rd cap and captaining Wales for only the second time, Gunter found himself on the left-hand side, accommodating new starting right-back Connor Roberts.
Gunter, even on the night it was all about him, stilled showed how he always put the team above himself.
A characteristic he’s shown throughout his Wales career.
Embed from Getty ImagesEuro Qualification
A long time coming for fans but after eight years of trying to qualify for a tournament Gunter, the longest-serving Wales player to start the match, finally achieved what he always dreamed of doing.
Playing every second of the qualifying campaign, Gunter was a vital part of Colemans back five that had an incredible defensive record throughout the qualifiers.
Again, Gunter found himself playing in an unfamiliar position, this time at centre-back, doing all he could to get Wales across the line out in Bosnia.
Despite the 2-0 loss that night, results elsewhere went Wales’ way and Gunter was on his way to France.
Embed from Getty ImagesChin Up
We’d all agree that the less said about this match the better.
However, in that slight blip in our great summer, Gunter turned to the Red Wall, saw the disappointment in the faces of the fans and lifted the crowd’s emotions and created the iconic image, telling the fans to keep their “chins up”.
There’s something about Gunter that connects the fans to him on an emotional level.
The Red Wall had supported him throughout his international career and when the fans needed him, he was there to raise the spirits of those in the stands and those back home.
An iconic moment that will live long in the memory of all Wales fans that made that disappointing result a positive part of that wonderful summer.
“Don’t Cross that F***ing Ball Christopher!”
Embed from Getty ImagesFor any member of the Euro 2016 squad, this night would be present on a list of their most iconic moments. But just being in the starting XI that night wasn’t good enough for Gunter to have it as an iconic moment. In the final few minutes of the ninety Gunter had the ball in the corner of Belgiums half.
Ignoring his manager’s instructions – “Don’t cross that f***ing ball Christopher!”
Gunter delivered a beautiful cross onto Sam Vokes forehead, the ball nestled in the net and Wales were on their way to the semi-finals of the euros.
And Colemans words would forever be etched in Welsh football history as the fans reached a level of ecstasy unimaginable when Gunter first stepped onto the pitch for his first cap in 2007.
With competition at right-back, there might not be many chances for Gunter to create some more iconic moments for Wales. Tonight, however, he’ll make another one and achieve something no other men’s player has been able to achieve.
Diolch Chris.
