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Arsenal playmaker Aaron Ramsey backs Wales for World Cup qualification
The midfielder claims that his national side are good enough to secure a place in Brazil after being revitalised by new coach Gary Speed and have begun to show true potential
11 Nov 2011 15:14:00
By Alfie Meekings
Getty Images
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey believes that Wales are good enough to qualify for the 2014 World Cup finals.
The Welsh national side failed to qualify for Euro 2012, finishing three points off a play-off spot in their group.
The 20-year-old, who has been handed the captain’s armband for his country, blames a poor start to their qualifying campaign for that disappointment, and says they are targeting a spot in the World Cup in two years' time having been revitalised by Gary Speed's appointment.
"We definitely want to be going on that plane to Brazil so our target is definitely to qualify," he told Arsenal's official website.
"I think we had a good end to the Euro qualifiers but in the beginning I think we lost our first four. On that form you're never going to qualify for a tournament, but then Gary Speed took over and there's been a big change.
"The players have adapted to that and have showed what they are actually capable of doing in the second half of the qualifying campaign.
"In the end we only came within three points of qualifying. We've had a really good three months that we can take a lot of positives from and go into the World Cup qualifiers believing we can get through."
While his side’s form has improved in recent games, Speed’s men will face a tough task when their qualifiers begin next year as they share a group with Croatia, Serbia, Scotland, Belgium and Macedonia.
The Welsh national side failed to qualify for Euro 2012, finishing three points off a play-off spot in their group.
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The 20-year-old, who has been handed the captain’s armband for his country, blames a poor start to their qualifying campaign for that disappointment, and says they are targeting a spot in the World Cup in two years' time having been revitalised by Gary Speed's appointment.
"We definitely want to be going on that plane to Brazil so our target is definitely to qualify," he told Arsenal's official website.
"I think we had a good end to the Euro qualifiers but in the beginning I think we lost our first four. On that form you're never going to qualify for a tournament, but then Gary Speed took over and there's been a big change.
"The players have adapted to that and have showed what they are actually capable of doing in the second half of the qualifying campaign.
"In the end we only came within three points of qualifying. We've had a really good three months that we can take a lot of positives from and go into the World Cup qualifiers believing we can get through."
While his side’s form has improved in recent games, Speed’s men will face a tough task when their qualifiers begin next year as they share a group with Croatia, Serbia, Scotland, Belgium and Macedonia.
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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