Wales’ group consisted of the Netherlands, Belgium and Poland, so survival in the group would have been the main objective for Page’s men.
The opening game in Poland, saw a young, inexperienced Wales side lose in the 85th minute, after a 20-yard fizzer from Jonny Williams had given the away side the lead.
The second game of the group would be played against the Netherlands at Cardiff, where a 92nd minute Rhys Norrington Davies goal would seemingly seal Wales a point. However, six-foot-five Wout Weghorst would snatch away Wales’ point with a diving header. Successive games where Wales had lost late on.
This streak ended in June, when Wales continued their decade long form against Belgium, with Brennan Johnson saving the Red Dragons a point in the dying embers of the game.
Days later, history would be repeated in Holland. A 92nd minute Bale penalty had helped to cancel out a two-nil Dutch lead, seeing scenes of jubilation all across Wales. Seconds after replays of the penalty had finished, two headers would lead to Memphis Depay smashing the ball home from close range.
Scenarios such as these could not be written. It truly brings weight to ‘not switching off’ after scoring a goal. Another 2-1 loss, this time in Brussels, would require Page and his men to overcome a strong Polish side at home.
The game commenced, as ever, with a heartfelt rendition of “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.” Jeers from the Polish away section quickly turned into applause for the passionate pre-match display.
Many outsiders dubbed this game as Bale versus Lewandowski and it was a piece of magic from the Pole that would assist Karol Świderski in opening the scoring early in the second half.
The game had been end-to-end, but from this point, Welsh domination commenced. Wojciech Szczęsny would be Poland’s hero throughout the second half, as two fingertip saves would prevent Johnson and Dan James from equalling the scoring.
Gareth Bale was quiet for his standards, but chances always fell to the man from Caerdydd. In the 91st minute, his flicked header would cannon against the crossbar, proving that it just wouldn’t be Wales’ day on this occasion.
Welsh commentator, Bryn Law, tweeted after the game that Wales were not quite good enough for League A against the top outfits in European football, but I disagree. Needless points were dropped in multiple games and vital players were consistently missing, seeing the likes of Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey watching the final game on the sidelines. Another year could have seen Wales comfortably remain in the League, but naivety late on would ultimately cost the Welsh side.
Game-time against some of the best in Europe has been a vital experience ahead of the World Cup in Qatar though, even if Kevin De Bruyne is “bored” of facing Wales for Belgium.