SM
Man City vs. Spurs: 17 hrs 48 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Wales

A closer look at Chris Gunter's remarkable Wales career

:Headline: A closer look at Chris Gunter's remarkable Wales career: ID:440768: from db_amp
The 31-year-old, who made his international debut as a teenager in May 2007, will captain Wales on Saturday.

Chris Gunter will become the first Welshman to win 100 caps when he captains the side against Mexico in Cardiff on Saturday.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the 31-year-old right-back's remarkable international career.

Debut

Chris Gunter made his Wales debut as a 17-year-old in May 2007 (Nick Potts/PA)

Newport-born Gunter was a 17-year-old at Cardiff when he made his Wales debut against New Zealand in May 2006. Gunter played the first half of a 2-2 friendly draw at Wrexham, which also marked the debut of record goalkeeper caps holder Wayne Hennessey. Current national team manager Ryan Giggs started that game, his penultimate Wales appearance.

Mr Consistent

John Toshack gave Chris Gunter his international debut during his time as Wales manager (Chris Radburn/PA)

The start of Gunter's early international career coincided with a period of transition as then-manager John Toshack shipped out the old guard and blooded plenty of youngsters. Gunter, who has played for Cardiff, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Reading and current club Charlton, had grown up with the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale and soon made the right-back spot his own. He made 63 consecutive appearances for Wales between February 2011 and September 2018.

Euro 2016

Chris Gunter, a Wales hero at Euro 2016, celebrates after the quarter-final victory over Belgium (Joe Giddens/PA)

Gunter's composure and experience played a vital part in Wales qualifying for Euro 2016, the country's first major tournament for 58 years. He played right wing-back as manager Chris Coleman opted for a three-man central defence and Wales reached the semi-finals. Gunter's special bond with the Wales fans was confirmed by his 'chin up' gesture following the group defeat to England and his pinpoint cross to Sam Vokes in the quarter-final, with the striker's header sealing a famous 3-1 victory over Belgium.

Record-breaker

Gunter became Wales' most capped player in November 2018. He captained Wales for the second time in surpassing Neville Southall's 92-cap mark in a friendly against Albania. As Gunter struggled to find flights for friends and family to the European outpost, he quipped about Gareth Bale and his private jet: "I'll ask Gaz if I can borrow his plane." Despite losing his place to Swansea's Connor Roberts in recent years, Gunter remains a valued member of the squad and is set to feature at his second European Championship this summer as Wales' first centurion.

amp_article__440768 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-03-26 16:41:24:
html db last update - 2021-03-26 16:41:24 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
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.



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