Wales' Taylor in confident mood

12 November 2014 22:47

Neil Taylor has targeted Euro 2016 "bonus points" this weekend as he believes the current feel-good factor in Welsh football could upset group favourites Belgium in their own Brussels backyard.

Belgium's stellar squad are expected to win Group B comfortably after rising to the top four of FIFA's world rankings but it is Wales who lead the way at present after taking seven points from their opening three matches.

Victories over Andorra and Cyprus and an encouraging goalless draw against talented Bosnia-Herzegovina opposition has provided real belief in Wales that a side inspired by the brilliance of Real Madrid's Gareth Bale can clinch a top-two spot and secure automatic qualification for the 2016 finals in France.

"It is different this time, we have done well in the opening games and feel we can go there and have a real go at getting what would be some bonus points," Swansea defender Taylor said.

"If we can, that would be brilliant.

"They are favourites to win the group so to get anything there would be a good result.

"They are a great side and look like the team that are going to win the group, but we are a good team now and we will fancy ourselves to go out there and do something."

The two countries last met just over 12 months ago in the final game of 2014 World Cup qualification when injury-hit Wales produced a plucky performance to draw 1-1 in Brussels, Aaron Ramsey scoring a late leveller for Chris Coleman's side.

Wales look in far better shape this time for their return to the King Baudouin Stadium with Bale over the buttock injury which saw him miss Real Madrid game-time recently and key midfielders Ramsey and Joe Allen restored after missing the Euro 2016 qualifiers against Bosnia and Cyprus last month.

Leicester midfielder Andy King is suspended following his red card against Cyprus, but only Jonathan Williams has withdrawn from the original squad after picking up a groin injury last weekend, and Wales manager Coleman, for once, almost has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal.

"We have Aaron and Joe back which is a big boost for us and every time we meet up, no matter who is there, people have stepped up for us," Taylor said.

"But you do miss players of that quality, they are two massive players and we know we can hurt teams when we have them in our team.

"We got a draw out there last time with very much an under-strength team.

"Okay, they may have been in party mode after qualifying for the World Cup but they would have really wanted to win and we are confident we can get a result again.

"We've got world-class players and if they're on the pitch we've got a chance."

Such positivity inside the camp has been reflected by a wave of optimism outside it with nearly 2,500 Wales supporters set to make their way to Brussels for the game.

Belgium are packed with household names from the Barclays Premier League but they have defensive problems as their influential skipper, Manchester City's Vincent Kompany, is rated doubtful with a calf injury and West Brom left-back Sebastien Pocognoli is definitely out with a torn thigh muscle.

"We've had a good start and getting those two big home crowds has been a real boost," Taylor said.

"Everyone is looking forward to coming in to camp with Wales and we can feel that big backing we are getting from the fans.

"I have been inundated with texts and messages from people wanting tickets for the Belgium game, and that was not happening the last time we went there.

"People are really behind us, making the effort to travel in big numbers which we really appreciate and we hope we can reward them in this campaign."

Source: PA