Wales star, Gareth Bale, has sent out a special message to supporters before they face Belgium in their UEFA EURO 2016 quarter-final match on Friday.
He told Uefa.com, “We know it’s a massive game, it’s a quarter final of the European Championships but it’s one we want to go out and enjoy.
“We want everybody to sing and chant, enjoy the occasion and keep an eye on the team and be the 12th man as they have always done.
“We will try as a whole nation to win the game and try to enjoy the experience as a nation. Hopefully we can celebrate after.”
Wales’s manager, Chris Coleman, also acknowledges the uniqueness of the occasion, “We’re not going to talk it down. We’re going to savour this occasion, as we have done all along.
“This is another huge test and it’s another in a line of challenges that we’ve already met. It’s a great position to be in. We’ve got to go and do all the things that have got us in this position in the first place.
“Within the group the pressure is on us to keep performing. We’ve had to win differently [at this tournament].
“Belgium are recognised as one of the best teams in international football and we’ve played them four times in the last two campaigns. But it’s all about us and our preparation. Just because it’s Belgium, there’s been no dramas in our camp.”
Belgium will be without the services of Jan Vertonghen who turned his left ankle at the very end of training and has torn two ankle ligaments.
Manager, Marc Wilmots, nevertheless is not perturbed by the setback.
“We are now in the quarter-finals – the Hungary game is in the past and we need to focus on this game against Wales. I think we have to keep doing what we’ve done well so far. Nobody knows what sort of team will be put out, so I really need everyone to stay on their toes.
“A manager is always scared of his team having an off-day. It can happen. Hungary went well, but now we must remain focused and not take it for granted that we will win easily.
“It will be a tough match, it’s a different opposition this time. They are a team with pace, who play good football and a lot of them play in England.
“They are a side who defend really well and who have real talent on the counterattack. Now the stakes are different, this is no longer a qualification game for points. We are going out there with the semi-finals of the EURO as a prize – that is completely different.”
