Football fell out of fashion, especially in the rugby-playing Welsh heartlands, as fans endured decades of disappointment, reports Aljazeera.

Something changed in 2016. And it was nothing less than the emergence of a new golden generation palying the game. Led by former Real Madrid and Tottenham superstar Gareth Bale, these new gladiators of Wales – Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen and Wayne Hennessey – recaptured the hearts and imaginations of the nation as they stormed to the Euro 2016 semi-final.

The roots of this success go back much further, with many pointing to the hardworking and honest Gary Speed’s tenure as manager as the catalyst for Wales’s changing fortunes.

 “Gary started this 12, 13 years ago, and the changes he made, the professionalism he brought in, he led with those standards,” former Watford captain Rob Page, who has managed Wales since November 2020, told a gathering at the Senedd, the Welsh parliament. “I see that in Gareth [Bale] today, how he leads.”

Wales faced a tough European qualifying campaign under Page to make it to Qatar, but finished second in a group featuring Belgium, ranked second in the world, and the Czech Republic.

Playoff victories over Austria and Ukraine in front of a jubilant home crowd followed, and Wales were booking their flights to Doha.

Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan