Rob Page welcomes the return of Wales supporters for home and away games
Cardiff, Wales. 5th June 2021. Wales interim Rob Page on the touchline Wales v Albania friendly at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 5th June 2021. Credit: Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
Wales manager Rob Page took questions from the media ahead of his teams World Cup Qualifier against Estonia. The game on Wednesday night will see the return of full crowd’s for a Wales international since November 2019.
Due to COVID restrictions limited numbers of Welsh supporters have been able to attend games since the final EUR0 2020 qualifier. That night saw over 31,000 supporters at Cardiff City Stadium and Page is excited for the return of the Red Wall.
Asked how big it was for the team Page said,
“Yeah, it’s massive, you know, the supporters have always been a part of our achievement over the years.
“When we qualified for the euros a couple of years ago now was a great experience.
“I was supporting myself then back in 2016 for the euros. And what we did is great when you get the fans’ involvement, so it’s fantastic for us, and the players get to support us back there with us.”
The Wales fans have been considered as the 12th man for the national team and Page believes that their support is massive for the players,
“Yeah, of course, there’s no greater feeling when you play well and individually, and as a team and the crowd are with you and behind you.
“They play a big part in that, you know, sometimes when you got to dig deep, if you’re hanging on to a win, you got to dig deep and the supporters are there with you,
“They’re singing and chanting. You know, that’s how you get across the line. So they’ve been a massive part in it.”
Page also spoke about the commitment of the Wales supporters saying,
“We understand the commitment that’s that needs to be shown from the supporters. You know, it’s a midweek game. It’s a lot to ask of, you know, people from North Wales coming down.
“But we just encourage them to come and help us get the three points tomorrow.
Wales fans will also be able to travel to Wales’ away matches next month against the Czech Republic and Estonia. A few Wales fans did go to Baku for Wales’ Euro 2020 games. However Azerbaijan was on the UK red list and supporters were advised not to travel.
Asked about how much of a lift that would be the team Page said,
“I should imagine for the supporters as well, because it’s not just the they go and see the game. You know, it’s an experience for them. They go for the weekend, some of them will make a thing of it.
“So for them, it’s nice, but for us, as a team, it’s nice to have the support is really all the way you know,
“They do play a part, they are the extra man that you need.
“Sometimes when you got to dig deep, like I said, certainly away from home.
“And yeah, it’s it’s it’s a good step forward a positive step forward.”
Wales face Estonia on Wednesday with kick off at 19:45
