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Ben Davies is determined to silence the doubters by securing a spot in Euro 2024 and qualifying for a fourth major tournament out of five attempts for Wales.
The Welsh team is getting ready for crucial matches against Armenia and Turkey in the Euro 2024, fully aware that their spot in the finals next summer is within their control.
Welsh football could be in for another significant week following their surprise 2-1 victory against World Cup semi-finalists Croatia last month under the leadership of Rob Page.
Tottenham’s Davies, who acted as captain in place of the injured Aaron Ramsey during the match and again this week, delivered a spirited speech to his team in a huddle after the Croatia game, which was captured on video.
Quoting the lyrics of Yma O Hyd by Dafydd Iwan, a folk protest song from the 1980s that has been embraced by the Football Association of Wales as their anthem, Davies proclaimed that the Dragons always persevere.
Davies explained that the speech was a way to demonstrate the purpose of our presence, during a campaign where Wales has had to adjust to not having retired Gareth Bale’s game-winning abilities.
We were pushed to the limit, facing doubt from others, but we proved ourselves and are still standing strong.
“We’re bravely facing the obstacles and we’re currently in the midst of a two-game battle.”
“We have always maintained faith in this team. Our mentality is that we are capable of achieving positive outcomes against any opponent. Our actions have proven this.”
If they are unable to qualify automatically, any lost points will make them dependent on the outcome of other matches to secure a top-two position. However, Wales is assured of a play-off spot due to their elite status in the previous edition of the Nations League.
However, defeating Armenia and Turkey, who have already qualified, may be a less challenging task compared to defeating teams like Norway, Poland, and Ukraine in March.
Following a 4-2 loss to Armenia in Cardiff and a 2-0 defeat in Turkey three days later, automatic qualification seemed unlikely for the team.
According to Davies, it was a disappointment to lose to Armenia during the home game in the summer.
Our attitude is that we can achieve a positive outcome against any opponent. We have proven this.
Ben Davies, the captain of Wales.
“Typically, having a strong record at home is crucial in these types of groups, but we have experienced this situation before.”
We have faced difficult challenges, but we have persevered and now have an opportunity. This situation remains unchanged.
If the first game is not successful, the outcome of the second game is irrelevant.
This week, our main attention is on Armenia. Our previous match against them at our home ground was challenging and served as a reminder to stay alert.
“They are a strong team and demonstrated that against us. It is crucial that we approach the game with the understanding that we have a significant task ahead of us.”
Davies, Ramsey, and goalkeepers Danny Ward and Wayne Hennessey are the only four players left from the team that made it to the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
It took 58 years for Wales to qualify for their first major tournament, the 1958 World Cup. They later qualified for a second major tournament in France.
However, competing in Germany during the upcoming summer would result in them participating in four out of five tournaments – three consecutive European Championships and the 2022 World Cup.
Davies expressed that as a child, it was a goal for Welsh football to participate in these significant tournaments.
“That aspiration remains and this presents us with another significant opportunity.”
“We do not want to become complacent with our success and simply say, ‘We have achieved it and enjoyed it.'”
“After experiencing it once, we were eager to do it again. That’s our current mindset as a group.”
Wales qualified for Euro 2020 by winning their final two games, away to Azerbaijan and at home to Hungary, and obvious parallels exist with a far-flung trip to Eastern Europe followed by a sell-out clash at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Davies stated that there are undoubtedly similarities from the previous time we qualified for the European Championship.
This is a close-knit group and they will always be competitive until the end of the season. Many of us have faced this scenario before and it’s a chance for us to do it once again.
The Independent is a British online newspaper.
The Independent is a digital newspaper based in the United Kingdom.
