From Graham Thomas in Lens
Chris Coleman has promised his Wales players will recover from the shattering trauma of their late defeat to England to take their place in the last 16 of the Euros.
The Wales manager admitted he felt as if he had been kicked in the guts after Daniel Sturridge’s injury-time winner gave England a dramatic 2-1 victory in Lens.
The result means Wales must gain at least a draw against Russia next Monday to take themselves through to the knockout stages.
“You can’t tell me my players deserved to lose like that,” said Coleman after seeing Jamie Vardy cancel out Gareth Bale’s stunning first-half 35-yard free-kick.
“Their effort and courage was fantastic. When you are playing against a top team you have to ride your luck a bit.
“They had a lot of possession and we expected that but it wasn’t like Wayne Hennessey was pulling off save after save so to lose it like that was gut-wrenching for the players and our supporters.”
Coleman admitted to lose the match in the 92nd minute was as painful a blow as anything he has suffered in management. But he insists the squad that won their opening game against Slovakia has the resilience to hit back in four days’ time in Toulouse.
“We knew we were going to be up against it from the start. But we did everything we could to keep them at bay, even when they got the equaliser we weren’t really stretched too badly. They had possession but I think Wayne pulled off one save. They pressed and probed. But we weren’t really stretched too badly and for the dying seconds to lose it there.
“I can’t say I’ve been as disappointed too many times in my career as I was when that goal went in to be honest with you.”
Russia will have plenty to play for as they could yet finish on four points and progress themselves if they beat Wales.
Coleman added: “Of course, we have watched Russia. I think it is an exciting group this one because it is all on these last two games – Slovakia v England and Wales v Russia.
“Russia could have got something out of the game against Slovakia. They started the game late, but the last 20 minutes they put pressure on Slovakia.
“We know what Slovakia are all about and it won’t be an easy game for England, either. It is all on this last game. Russia have got experience, they will be hurting after the defeat against Slovakia, and I think it is whichever team is able to put the disappointments behind them from this middle game will be the ones to prevail.”
Even though Wales led for almost an hour – until Ashley Williams headed into Vardy’s path for the equaliser – Coleman conceded that Wales were not at their best and failed to hit the standards of their first game.
“We are better in possession and we didn’t play like we can. The occasion got to us a little bit. We were a bit rushed and rather than keeping the ball more we gave it back to England too many times.
“They then kept possession. That is the only criticism I can make of my team. Balo was sometimes isolated. We know when you are up against good teams like England there are periods when you have to weather the storm and defend deep and in numbers but that is not to say when you win it back we have to give the ball straight back to the opposition which we did too many times.
“Balo worked his socks off – sometimes he was too isolated but that is only a small criticism.
“Before we went into this tournament, if you said it is all going to be on the last game – and if we get a result we go through – we would have to accept that.
“I think the disappointment is because of we won the first one and are 1-0 up in the second one at half-time and the fashion we lost it was a bitter pill to swallow. But you have to get over it.
“England did it – they conceded in the last minute against Russia and showed good courage to get back in the second game and we have to do the same. We will be disappointed after this but we have to put this to bed as quickly as we can and get ourselves ready for Russia.”
Wales will benefit if England beat Slovakia, but Coleman insisted he is not looking for favours from the neighbours.
“We are still going into this last game and it is down to us. We are not asking for any favours. We have never done that. It is up to us to take care of business.
“We are gutted after today, absolutely devastated. That is how it is but we have to show a bit of mettle and steel and bounce back for this next game.
“That is why we are here. We knew three games in 10 games was going to be a tough ask mentally and physically.
“But we are down to the last one and we have a chance. Although I am disappointed today in the result and how we lost it, given the fact we are going into the last game and it is in our hands, then we have to take that.”