‘I’ve got a selection headache’ – Wales manager admits problem ahead of World Cup play-off
Wales manager Rob Page in training. Wales MD1 Training Session at The Vale Resort on the 4th June 2022 ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Play Off Final against Ukraine. Credit: Lewis Mitchell
Wales manager Rob Page has refused to give any hint about his team selection ahead of Sunday’s World Cup play-off final with Ukraine.
The Dragons are ninety minutes away from qualifying for a first World Cup in 64 years but face tricky opposition.
Ukraine have not lost a qualifying match since 2017 and got to the quarter-finals of EURO 2020, one step more than Wales did last summer.
Page has said that he has a plan in place and that he and the players have to trust in that plan. While Page would not reveal his starting line up though he confirmed that he knows what it is. With no new injury concerns, it is likely to be very different from the team that lined up against Poland on Wednesday.
“I know the team, of course, I’ve got a selection headache. For those of you who saw the Poland game, the younger players gave a good account of themselves.”
“For the senior players, we ask them what they need to get them in the best place for game day. Some like to train two days before, some like to train the day before, and some don’t. There’s a lot of moving parts in it.”
The Dragons head into one of the biggest games in their history against Ukraine with the Ukrainian people living through the horror of war.
“I can’t speak for what went on in Scotland’s camp, all I can control is my camp.
It is business as usual, and that’s not hard for us to understand. We’re in control of our environment. We’ll be sympathetic, I’m a dad myself. I’ve seen the news and what’s going on, it’s appalling. But our focus has been on this game.”
Ukraine beat Scotland 3-1 in the delayed semi-final to set up this clash. When asked if the occasion or background issues would affect the Wales team, Page once again confirmed that this camp was no different from others.
The Wales manager praised the Ukraine team and said that they have some good players and can pose a real threat to Wales. While showing respect to the Ukraine team Page went on to say that his team has gone toe to toe with the best in the world and pose many threats themselves.
“I thought they gave a great account of themselves against Scotland. We’ve analyzed the game and Ukraine pose a threat. They’re there for a reason, they’re a good outfit. Irrespective of what they’ve been through to get here.”
If Wales can get a victory it will end a 64 year wait to play at a World Cup. In 1958 Jimmy Murphy lead Wales to the Quarter Final of the World Cup in Sweden.
“We’re all excited. The atmosphere in the training ground, you can see what they’re all about as a group. It’s no different from the build-up in any other game. We understand the importance, but we’ve got a plan in place and it’s about trusting the plan now.“
If Page can lead Wales to Qatar he will be only the second manager to do so following in the footsteps of Jimmy Murphy.
Wales v Ukraine will kick off at 5pm Sunday at Cardiff City Stadium.
