adminGARETH BALE has insisted he has no need to silence his critics after he responded to his recent problems at Real Madrid by scoring twice to inspire Wales to a convincing victory over Israel. A superb free-kick and a well-taken second goal gave Wales a 3-0 win in their European Championship qualifier in Haifa and took Bale’s tally for his country to 16 in 49 internationals, lifting him above John Charles on the all-time list. After being on the receiving end of some flak in Madrid, where his performances have come under increased scrutiny following a poor run of results, Bale’s display against Israel felt like a fitting riposte to those who have questioned him and wondered if his confidence has been affected.
Bale, however, sees things differently. “I don’t need to answer the critics,” he said. “I know, and everyone around me knows, what I can do. There are ups and downs in football, you’ve to take it with a pinch of salt and all you can do is respond with your performances on the pitch, like that. I don’t feel I need to prove anyone wrong or right, I just need to play my football. I love playing for Wales, it’s a big honour and the most important thing is I focus on my football, I don’t listen to anyone else, what they’re saying, just enjoy my football with the boys.”
Bale is now the joint sixth-highest scorer for Wales, level with Cliff Jones, Mark Hughes and Robert Earnshaw, and it seems inevitable that the 25-year-old will eventually overhaul Ian Rush, the record-holder with 28 goals. “It’s obviously great to score for Wales and all that comes with it but the most important thing was the victory,” he said. “We put a great performance in, just worked hard, every single player on the pitch deserves the credit.”
Wales are now top of Group B, one point above Israel, who had won their previous three matches, and in with an excellent chance of qualifying for a major finals for the first time since 1958. Ahead through Aaron Ramsey’s goal on the stroke of half-time, Wales were hugely impressive as they strolled to a comfortable victory. — The Guardian
Online Reporter