Even as the world debates the pros and cons of United Kingdom’s vote to exit the European Union, the focus gradually shifts back to the football scheme of things in France, with the Euro 2016 round-of-16 fixtures set to take centre stage. Wales and Northern Ireland are set to go head-to-head at Paris’ Parc de Princes in another ‘Battle of the Brits’, but this time, there’s more than just bragging rights at stake with both teams searching for a first ever quarterfinals berth.
Chris Coleman’s Wales side surprised one and all (and I am sure even themselves!) as a failed gamble from Roy Hodgson followed by their utter demolition of Russia in Toulouse ensured the Red Dragons progress into the next round as the Group B winners ahead of England.
Northern Ireland, on the other hand, were expected to be on their way back home already but instead head to the French capital as one of the best third-placed teams despite Michael O’Neill’s side having been narrowly pipped to the automatic spots by Germany and Poland.
Surprising as it may sound, both teams may very well proceed all the way if they can overcome their British rivals since they happen to find themselves on the favourable side of the draw.
However, this is the stage where individuals crack as the pressure of a knockout game coupled with the expectancy mounts. In such a case, here are 5 players whose performances may very well determine the outcome of the game:
1) Gareth Bale
Well, the most obvious candidate, wasn’t it? The Real Madrid superstar signifies what Wales football is all about, the catalyst to every move. His tireless efforts, scoring 7 and creating another two, dragging Wales over the qualifying line to their first every major tournament in almost 60 years have already firmly cemented Gareth Bale’s name in Welsh football folklore.
Following a late upsurge in his form at Real Madrid under Zinedine Zidane, Bale has gone from strength to strength and carried his qualifiers’ form into the main event in France. With 3 goals from 3 matches, Bale has once again been instrumental to Wales’ fortunes. Whenever matches have threatened to spiral towards a lull, a certain Gareth Bale has always stepped up, stamping his authority on the game with as many as two of his three goals coming from dead-ball situations.
Russia just simply couldn’t contain a rampaging Bale, unsure of whether to force him out wide or crowd him out. Any option they opted for, simply created space for the others to dictate play. Failure to do the same could prove fatal and this might well be a massive conundrum for Martin O’Neill.
2) Joe Allen
Wales produced one of their finest performances on the world stage at the Stade de Toulouse on Tuesday night as they romped home to a convincing 3-0 win over Russia. Surprisingly, it wasn’t their talisman, but a certain diminutive powerhouse in the centre of the midfield who ran the show.
Joe Allen produced a complete performance, orchestrating the Welsh musical as the Liverpool man patrolled the midfield with such calmness and authority, fully encapsulated and capped off with the exquisite through ball to Aaron Ramsey for Wales’ opener. Dare I say it, almost Pirlo-esque!
Northern Ireland have often shown a tendency to start with a compressed three-man midfield, which could mean room in the centre of the park may be hard to come by. As such the ability of Allen to constantly strangle, press and switch play with his impressive passing range could be the key factor in creating space for Wales to exploit.
3) Michael McGovern
The single biggest reason Northern Ireland have made it thus far in the tournament is down to the Ulsterman’s series of heroic saves, many of them from point-blank range, keeping their all-important goal difference intact. His shot stopping abilities and speed off the line in danger situations, especially one-on-ones has been first class.
Against the Germans at the Parc de Princes, McGovern produced his finest career performance as attempt after attempt was thwarted. The Northern Irish keeper, now a free agent, remained unfazed through the Germans’ high pressing tempo, denying Muller and Gotze with incredible saves when it looked almost certain for the ball to find the back of the net.
Against the likes of Bale and Ramsey too, McGovern will have to repeat his heroics and maybe even go a step better if Northern Ireland are to harbour any hopes of securing a historic first quarterfinal berth.
4) Aaron Ramsey
Unlike his new bleach blonde hairstyle, Ramsey’s performances in Wales’ first two matches didn’t exactly catch the eye. Whether it was the brilliant tackle to prevent Dele Alli or squaring up the ball for Hal Robson-Kanu’s winner against Slovakia, the quality had never been in question but thus far it had only been visible in patches.
Producing a man-of-the-match performance in the rampaging victory over Russia in Toulouse, Aaron Ramsey did well to send another timely reminder of his prowess, and that there is more to the Red Dragons than just Gareth Bale.
The Arsenal man scored the opener – a delightful chip finishing off an even exquisite Joe Allen through ball. He appeared everywhere, running the length of the pitch chasing the ball, setting up Gareth Bale for Wales’ third to cap off a night of dominance.
A direct hand in 9 out of Wales’ 11 goals during the qualifiers and his uncanny ability to combine upfront, providing an additional attacking impetus whenever in possession is testament to the fact that Ramsey’s performances remain just as critical to Welsh fortunes as Bale’s.
5) Steven Davis
While one of the primary objectives for Northern Ireland at the Parc de Princes on Saturday night will be to absorb the early pressure and frustrate Wales, they would do well to be mindful of the fact that the Euros so far have shown a general trend of very late, almost heartbreaking goals being conceded.
Football games, especially knockouts, aren’t won by just defending and containing. Scoring before their opponents on the night, an early one at that, may go a long way in soothing the Northern Irish nerves and captain Steven Davis, who makes the Northern Irish tick from defence to offence, will be vary of that.
O’Neill’s side will be banking on their captain to produce a repeat of his stellar performance in the win over Ukraine, where he lead his team from the front – organised his midfield as a rock solid defensive cover and took it upon himself to control the possession, distributing it justly.
His job of shielding the back four against typical Welsh onslaughts and his ability to get them moving forward as an offensive threat whenever any counter-attacking opportunity arises will be absolutely pivotal in Paris.
