The perennial favorites against permanent underdogs, 50 years of heartbreak against 58 years in oblivion, glamor against grit; label the match as you may, but one cannot argue that the Group B clash between England and Wales in the Euro 2016 promises to be a tasty encounter.
The two neighbors last met during the Euro 2012 qualifiers with both fixtures being dominated and won by the English, 2-0 and 1-0 away and home respectively. However coming into this match, both sides come with contrasting feelings.
Riding on a high after their win against Slovakia, Wales would be looking to improve their stronghold over the group with a win. England, on the other hand, would be reeling after conceding a stoppage time equalizer against Russia in their opening game and would look to lift themselves for this match.
Both sides will require their top stars to bring out their A-game tonight in pursuit of three points. Here’s a look at some of the players who can make a difference:
Gareth Bale
We'll start off with the most obvious one; Gareth Bale. The natural heir to Ryan Giggs in the Welsh side, Bale has been in hot form for club and country over the last couple of years. Pace, skill, technique, a mean free-kick and a propensity to come up with the goods in big games, Bale has it all.
In the previous game, Wales played with Bale operating centrally, swapping positions with Jonny Williams and Aaron Ramsey who played as wide midfielders. In all probability though, Robson-Kanu would start tonight’s match up front for the Red Dragons which would mean Bale dropping into a more familiar no. 10 role.
Whatever position he plays, the English centre-halves Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill will definitely have their work cut out if they are to prevent Bale from running riot. Bale opened the scoring for Wales against Slovakia with a free-kick and will be hoping to add to his tally today with another goal which can propel his team to the first knockout stage.
Wayne Rooney
While we are dealing with the obvious, let's get another one out of the way; Wayne Rooney. Bombastic striker at Euro 2004 to a central midfielder at Euro 2016, Rooney has seen it all during a vastly successful career.
Captaining England in what could well be his international swansong, he will want to end it on a high, both personally and for the team. With an average age of just over 25 years, this is the youngest English side to grace a big international tournament and the onus will be on Rooney to guide his lesser experienced teammates over the finish line.
With an innate ability to pick out a long pass to unlock a tight defense as well as a (now seldom used) fierce shot, Rooney will be required to put in a virtuoso performance a la Roy Keane or Brian Robson if the Three Lions are to bag all three points tonight.
Wayne Hennessey
From one Wayne to another; both Waynes could end up seeing eye to eye if Rooney manages to get in the box. Wayne Hennessey though will want to ensure that he repels his namesake’s shots as well as those from his teammates.
Having missed the previous encounter against the Slovaks with a back spasm, Hennessey will be raring to go and has been given a massive chance to feature by manager Chris Coleman when he said: “Wayne feels a lot better but we’ll see if he comes through. Hopefully, there’ll be no reaction in the morning."
It will be touch and go, but Hennessey has been given until the last minute to prove his fitness which in all probability he will. He has also begun the mind games by controversially stating this regarding English striker Jamie Vardy;
“Vardy can be quite clever in the box and go down. 'You can't touch him. We are all not stupid. We watch the games as well. He will cut across defenders and go down.”
It will take much more than just mind games to thwart a potent English front-line and Wales will require their keeper to be on top form if they are to secure a favorable result.
Joe Hart
Two goalkeepers in a watch list would be rare, but then with such potent attacking threats at either end, it is all but certain that the men between the sticks would be kept busy. Joe Hart, the English no.1 would know that very well.
Coming off the back of a decent season for Manchester City, albeit with a few errors; Hart will have a point to prove against the Dragons.
A brilliant shot stopper and organizer of defense; he has what it takes to marshal a relatively inexperienced back four especially during set pieces. Wales would know of his relative weakness with the ball at his feet and would look to exploit that. English goalkeepers have made it a habit of coming up with howlers at big tournaments (David Seaman, Rob Green are obvious examples) and Hart would be looking to buck the trend and keep Bale and co. at bay.
With Pep Guardiola taking over at City, Hart’s days could be numbered if he puts in a less than impressive performance at the Euro 2016 and this could act as an added motivation; only if Hart sees it that way.
Ashley Williams
From almost killing Robin Van Persie in 2012, according to Sir Alex Ferguson, to leading Wales in the Euro 2016, Ashley Williams’ career has come a long way. A defensive lynchpin for Swansea as well as for the national side, he is a true Welsh lad in every sense.
Ever present for club and country and a symbol of consistency, Williams is one of the last in a dying breed of traditional British center-backs; big, strong and superb in the air. His performances over the last two seasons for Swansea and during the qualifying campaign for the national side are a clear indication that he is arguably the best centre-back in the United Kingdom.
He will have his task cut out in organizing his back line to deal with the English attack. If Wales manage to come out of tonight’s fixture unscathed, much of the credit very deservedly would go to their talismanic skipper.
