News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 8 years ago
Home  » Sports » What Wales must do to cope with new Rooney role...

What Wales must do to cope with new Rooney role...

June 15, 2016 13:11 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Gareth Bale

IMAGE: Wales player Gareth Bale, centre, and team-mates warm up during training at their Euro 2016 base camp. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images.

Wales will need to defend deep if they are to stifle England captain Wayne Rooney's influence on their European Championship clash on Thursday, midfielder Aaron Ramsey has said.

Tonight Anglo-Welsh rivalry will reach new peak!

Rooney, who has scored 52 goals in 112 internationals, was given a midfield role in England's 1-1 draw with Russia in their Group B opener on Saturday, while Wales marked their first game at a major tournament for 58 years with a 2-1 win over Slovakia.

Ramsey said the different role for Rooney would allow him more time on the ball and Wales had to make sure he did not pick them apart.

"Rooney is a fantastic player. He has great ability on the ball and a range of passing," the Wales midfielder told reporters in France. "We will have to look out for him, be wary of that. Hopefully we can keep him quiet.

"It is not an easy position for him to play but a player of his quality probably finds it a bit easier to slot into there. We defend as a team, we can drop deep and be tough to break down so hopefully that works in our favour."

Wales end their group stage campaign against Russia in Toulouse on June 20.

- Euro 2016 Coverage 

Euro 2016 Schedule

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

India In Australia 2024-2025