Welsh fans hailed for 'fantastic' support

Welsh fans left Bordeaux on Sunday with ringing endorsements from players in the Wales team that kicked off their first campaign at a major tournament since 1958 with a 2-1 victory over Slovakia.

Joe Ledley (left) and Jonathan Williams praised the Welsh fans for their support during the match against Slovakia. Reuters/Regis Duvignau

Midfielder Joe Ledley described the atmosphere inside the Stade de Bordeaux as fantastic. “It was brilliant,” he added. “For Wales to be in their first big competition after so long and to perform the way we did in front of so many of our fans was such an achievement.”

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale opened the scoring for Wales from a free-kick in the 10th minute. But Chris Coleman’s side was pegged back when second-half substitute Ondrej Duda slotted past Danny Ward. At that point Slovakia, playing some silky football, looked the more likely winners.

But the Wales fans, who accounted for the vast majority of the 38,000 spectators inside the stadium, belted out their songs of encouragement.

The fervour paid handsome dividends as substitute Hal Robson-Kanu grabbed the winner nine minutes from time.

Ledley added: “It was backs against the wall in the second-half which is always going to happen in these types of games but we scored at a vital time and got the win.

“I didn’t start the game but even looking out from the bench was so inspiring. The stadium was full of red shirts. They seemed to have taken over. From the beginning they got behind us and made a lot of noise and that’s what we needed.”

Jonathan Williams did begin Wales’s most significant game in nearly 60 years. It was the 22-year-old’s surge towards the penalty area that drew the foul that brought the free-kick from which Bale scored.

“When the big games come around - like the ones against Belgium in the qualifiers - we start the games with a lot of intensity,” said Williams. “We don’t let teams breathe. The fitness level of the boys is outstanding. They’ve got the desire to do well and the heart for the fight. And with the buzz from the fans, it gives us something extra.”

Williams, who won his 13th cap on Saturday, added: “I thought the fans were magnificent throughout the match against and that gave us the will to do well. The victory was for them because they’ve travelled hundreds of miles to come and watch us.”

Wales control Group B following England’s 1-1 draw with Russia on Saturday night in Marseilles. And the raucous but controlled behaviour of their fans in Bordeaux contrasts sharply with the hooliganism that tainted England’s stalemate with Russia. Euro 2016 organisers, Uefa, threatened to disqualify the sides if there is any more trouble from their fans.

Uefa on Sunday launched disciplinary proceedings against Russia after what it described as totally unacceptable scenes at the Velodrome. Video footage showed what appeared to be Russian fans rushing at England supporters. Russia have been charged for crowd disturbances and racist chanting. Uefa did admit, however, that there had been lapses in security within the ground.

Russia are next in action on Wednesday afternoon in Lille against Slovakia. England face Wales on Thursday in Lens.