2016 European qualifiers: Cyprus have target on Wales’ Gareth Bale once again

"Gareth’s a strong boy and he knows how to ride a tackle. He can’t see everyone coming, but if he gets a clump I expect the referee, whether it’s in Wales or in Cyprus, to deal with it accordingly," Wales coach says.

Wales’ Gareth Bale, centre, stretches during a training on Wednesday. John Sibley / Reuters

Wales coach Chris Coleman has warned Cyprus to forget about attempting to bully Gareth Bale.

Cyprus employed tough tactics to try to curb Bale when Wales beat them 2-1 in Euro 2016 qualifying at Cardiff 11 months ago, picking up five bookings on a night when it was Coleman’s side who were reduced to 10 men by Andy King’s dangerous second-half challenge.

And Coleman expects Cyprus to make it just as hard for them in Nicosia on Thursday night when Group B leaders Wales hope to take a massive step towards qualifying for their first major tournament since 1958.

“They gave him a little bit and Cyprus are going to do what they’ve got to do to get a result,” Coleman said.

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“But Gareth’s a strong boy and he knows how to ride a tackle. He can’t see everyone coming, but if he gets a clump I expect the referee, whether it’s in Wales or in Cyprus, to deal with it accordingly.

“We’re not asking for special treatment, we just want normal treatment. I remember going to Scotland and an ex-Scottish player said: ‘He can’t play if he hasn’t got any legs’.

“That’s fine if you want to try to go and kick him, as long as the referee sees that and deals with it we’ll play against nine men or 10 men, but in the last couple of years we’ve never been bullied.”

Wales had to hang on for victory in Cardiff after King’s rash challenge on Cyprus midfielder Constantinos Makridis forced them to play the final 42 minutes with 10 men.

But Coleman felt Cyprus were fortunate to finish the game with a full complement of players after dishing out some rough treatment to Bale and company.

“One or two of their challenges the boundaries weren’t stepped over, they were hopped over,” Coleman said. “I was surprised we came off the pitch with one man less than Cyprus and it wasn’t 10 v 10 by the end.

“They’ll make it difficult for us again, but why should they make it easy? But we’ll just concentrate on what we want to do.”

Wales know victories in Cyprus and at home to Israel on Sunday could book their ticket to next summer’s European Championship in France.

Coleman’s side are top with 14 points from six games and Bale, who has scored five of Wales’ seven goals in qualifying, comes into the game on a high after his two goals for Real Madrid in their 5-0 victory over Real Betis last weekend.

“You see Cristiano Ronaldo performing for Portugal and what it means to him every game, it’s the same with Baley,” Coleman said.

“The excitement on his face when he shows up for every game, and that’s all positive when in the past we’ve had negative thoughts when maybe this player or that player hasn’t turned up because it doesn’t mean enough to them. I don’t think you could ever say that to Baley.”

2016 European qualifying fixtures

Thursday

• Azerbaijan v Croatia, 8pm (UAE time)

• Czech Republic v Kazakhstan, 10.45pm

• Netherlands v Iceland, 10.45pm

• Turkey v Latvia, 10.45pm

• Belgium v Bosnia-Herzegovina, 10.45pm

• Cyprus v Wales, 10.45pm

• Israel v Andorra, 10.45pm

• Bulgaria v Norway, 10.45pm

• Italy v Malta, 10.45pm

Friday

• Georgia v Scotland, 8pm

• Germany v Poland, 10.45pm

• Gibraltar v Republic of Ireland, 10.45pm

• Faroe Islands v Northern Ireland, 10.45pm

• Greece v Finland, 10.45pm

• Hungary v Romania, 10.45pm

• Denmark v Albania, 10.45pm

• Serbia v Armenia, 10.45pm

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