SM
Bayern vs. Real Madrid: 4 hrs
Upcoming predictions and previews

Gareth Bale admits 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign could be his last

:Headline: Gareth Bale admits 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign could be his last: ID:441079: from db_amp
The Dragons host the Czech Republic on Tuesday bidding to recover from an opening World Cup qualifying defeat to Belgium.

Gareth Bale admits his international career could be drawing to a close with Wales' current World Cup qualifying campaign possibly his last.

Wales play the Czech Republic in Cardiff on Tuesday seeking their first points in Group E after an opening defeat to Belgium.

Bale and company still have this summer's delayed European Championship finals to look forward to, but Tottenham's Wales captain will be 33 by the time of the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar.

Gareth Bale (left) in action during Wales' 1-0 friendly victory over Mexico on Saturday (David Davies/PA)

"I haven't really thought too much past this campaign," said Bale, who insisted he had not been "disrespectful" last week when outlining his end-of-season plans to see out the final year of his Real Madrid contract.

"Obviously, there's no hiding we are getting older and possibly it is the last campaign.

"If it is, then it won't change my mindset. I'm going to be 100 per cent committed like always.

"We still have a big tournament to play in the summer and then continue with these qualifiers after.

“Obviously, there's no hiding we are getting older and possibly it is the last campaign”
- Gareth Bale

"I'm purely focused on the present and what is happening now. Whatever will happen in the future will happen."

Bale had a slow start to his Spurs return on a season-long loan from Real after arriving with "a little problem in my knee".

But he scored six goals in as many games in February and early-March, and says he has the "form and speed" to trouble Czech opponents, who have opened their campaign by beating Estonia and drawing with Belgium.

Bale said: "Confidence is a massive thing in football. Whether you are the best player or the worst, confidence as a footballer, especially for me, is one of the most important things.

"Playing in the final third you need to take risks, you need to feel good about yourself and to be able to beat a defender, shoot and score goals.

"I wouldn't say it's a must-win match, but we want to win the match.

"We don't want to start a campaign off with two losses straight away. In the last Euros campaign, we started with a win but we had two defeats on the bounce.

"We're not thinking of losing. Us experienced lads, we understand it's not a sprint, it's a marathon."

Ondrej Kudela (right) misses the Czech Republic's World Cup qualifier in Wales after being accused of making racist remarks to Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara in a Europa League tie earlier this month (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Wales caretaker manager Robert Page says Ben Cabango is in the right frame of mind to be involved on Tuesday after being racially abused online over the weekend.

South Wales Police are investigating after Cabango and Rabbi Matondo were racially abused on social media following Saturday's friendly win over Mexico.

Matondo was one of three Wales players – Hal Robson-Kanu and Tyler Roberts were the others – sent home on Monday for breaching Football Association of Wales protocol.

The Czechs are without defender Ondrej Kudela, who was accused of racially abusing Glen Kamara when Slavia Prague beat Rangers in a Europa League tie at Ibrox on March 18.

Slavia refused to allow's Kudela return to the UK, due in part to fears over his safety.

On that Rangers incident, Page said: "We're aware of it. But my focus is on my players and making sure they are OK.

"They are strong characters and we will make sure they've got the full backing of the Football Association of Wales, they've got the full backing of the players and the staff.

"I had breakfast with both players the following morning and made sure that they were in the right frame of mind and as least affected by it as possible."

Cardiff striker Kieffer Moore, whose fifth international goal secured victory over Mexico, has been cleared to play after being troubled by a heel injury.

The 95-times capped Wayne Hennessey could start after missing out in Belgium following a thigh injury, the Crystal Palace goalkeeper having impressed against Mexico on his first Wales appearance since October.

amp_article__441079 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-03-29 15:18:50:
html db last update - 2021-03-29 16:59:28 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Gareth Bale

Click here for more stories about Czech Republic

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs33186967521560
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
9Chelsea33139116359448
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .