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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| World Cup 2022: Wales fans heartbroken by Iran defeat | World Cup 2022: Wales fans heartbroken by Iran defeat |
| (3 months later) | |
| Wales fans gutted to lose against Iran, but hope they will beat England in their final game | Wales fans gutted to lose against Iran, but hope they will beat England in their final game |
| Wales fans gutted to lose against Iran, but hope they will beat England in their final game | Wales fans gutted to lose against Iran, but hope they will beat England in their final game |
| Wales fans have been left dejected after World Cup optimism turned into heartbreak. | Wales fans have been left dejected after World Cup optimism turned into heartbreak. |
| The country's first World Cup for 64 years looks set to end at the first hurdle after a last-gasp - but deserved - 2-0 defeat against Iran in Qatar. | The country's first World Cup for 64 years looks set to end at the first hurdle after a last-gasp - but deserved - 2-0 defeat against Iran in Qatar. |
| Up to 6,000 Welsh fans packed the Ahmad bin Ali stadium in Doha, double the pre-tournament estimates. | Up to 6,000 Welsh fans packed the Ahmad bin Ali stadium in Doha, double the pre-tournament estimates. |
| Many thousands more watched the game back home in pubs, fan zones and schools, where lessons were suspended. | Many thousands more watched the game back home in pubs, fan zones and schools, where lessons were suspended. |
| Children in Wales were able to watch the match after the Welsh government told schools they could cancel lessons to show it. | Children in Wales were able to watch the match after the Welsh government told schools they could cancel lessons to show it. |
| Schoolchildren in Ysgol Glan Clwyd in St Asaph, Denbighshire, reflect the national mood | Schoolchildren in Ysgol Glan Clwyd in St Asaph, Denbighshire, reflect the national mood |
| Two injury-time goals condemned Wales to defeat | Two injury-time goals condemned Wales to defeat |
| Thousands had made the long journey to Qatar to watch the second game of Wales' return to the World Cup after a 64-year absence. | Thousands had made the long journey to Qatar to watch the second game of Wales' return to the World Cup after a 64-year absence. |
| There had been a quiet confidence among many before kick-off following the second-half display against USA. | There had been a quiet confidence among many before kick-off following the second-half display against USA. |
| Wales fans pack stadium for key Iran clash | Wales fans pack stadium for key Iran clash |
| Wales fans miss game after entry cards 'glitch' | Wales fans miss game after entry cards 'glitch' |
| Wales World Cup fans ditching Qatar for Tenerife | Wales World Cup fans ditching Qatar for Tenerife |
| However this match, which kicked-off in 31C (88F), looked a game too far in the heat, according to fan David Crean, who had travelled from Cardiff with his son Jack. | However this match, which kicked-off in 31C (88F), looked a game too far in the heat, according to fan David Crean, who had travelled from Cardiff with his son Jack. |
| "I'm gutted. We just ran out of puff. We didn't turn up and just couldn't keep up with the pace," he said. | "I'm gutted. We just ran out of puff. We didn't turn up and just couldn't keep up with the pace," he said. |
| "I just hope England win tonight [against USA]. If not, I don't really want us to be humiliated by them." | "I just hope England win tonight [against USA]. If not, I don't really want us to be humiliated by them." |
| 'It was a hostile atmosphere with the Iran fans' | 'It was a hostile atmosphere with the Iran fans' |
| While The Red Wall of Wales fans dominated one end of the ground, Iranian fans took over most of the rest, and were loud throughout the game. | While The Red Wall of Wales fans dominated one end of the ground, Iranian fans took over most of the rest, and were loud throughout the game. |
| Mr Crean added: "It was something completely different. My ear drums have gone." | Mr Crean added: "It was something completely different. My ear drums have gone." |
| Matt James, 33, from Caldicot, Monmouthshire, added: "It was an incredibly hostile atmosphere, like an away game. We would have taken a 0-0 but to lose in injury time like that is gutting." | Matt James, 33, from Caldicot, Monmouthshire, added: "It was an incredibly hostile atmosphere, like an away game. We would have taken a 0-0 but to lose in injury time like that is gutting." |
| 'It's still great to be at a World Cup' said the Green family after the match | 'It's still great to be at a World Cup' said the Green family after the match |
| "It's a tough pill to swallow, but we will be ok tomorrow," said Becky Green, 48, from Llantwit Fardre, Rhondda Cynon Taf. | "It's a tough pill to swallow, but we will be ok tomorrow," said Becky Green, 48, from Llantwit Fardre, Rhondda Cynon Taf. |
| "After the way we played in the second half against the USA, I thought we were in with a chance. But it wasn't meant to be." | "After the way we played in the second half against the USA, I thought we were in with a chance. But it wasn't meant to be." |
| Dad Eric, 69, was also pragmatic and said: "We have seen worse things over the years as Wales fans. | Dad Eric, 69, was also pragmatic and said: "We have seen worse things over the years as Wales fans. |
| "It's just great to be at a World Cup." | "It's just great to be at a World Cup." |
| Neda said she wanted it to be 1-0 so it would be a close call, but was quite happy when the final score was 2-0 | Neda said she wanted it to be 1-0 so it would be a close call, but was quite happy when the final score was 2-0 |
| Iranian-Welsh fan Neda Arshadi said she was hoping for a win for Iran, but was sorry for the Welsh boys. | Iranian-Welsh fan Neda Arshadi said she was hoping for a win for Iran, but was sorry for the Welsh boys. |
| "I'm Iranian by birth, and as Iran won, I was screaming like crazy, and I think I lost my voice a bit. | "I'm Iranian by birth, and as Iran won, I was screaming like crazy, and I think I lost my voice a bit. |
| "I'm sorry for the Welsh boys, because my boys are half Welsh, and the Welsh boys worked really hard." | "I'm sorry for the Welsh boys, because my boys are half Welsh, and the Welsh boys worked really hard." |
| She added that she loves her team, and her country and always wanted them to win. | She added that she loves her team, and her country and always wanted them to win. |
| "It was a fabulous moment for me, I was celebrating and apologising at the same time." | "It was a fabulous moment for me, I was celebrating and apologising at the same time." |
| Wayne Vernon and Chris Hancock | Wayne Vernon and Chris Hancock |
| Outside the stadium, fans were in fairly upbeat mood despite the result. | Outside the stadium, fans were in fairly upbeat mood despite the result. |
| "The best team won, we can't have any complaints," said Wayne Vernon, 54, from Wrexham, who now lives in Melbourne, Australia. | "The best team won, we can't have any complaints," said Wayne Vernon, 54, from Wrexham, who now lives in Melbourne, Australia. |
| "I was sat next to an old Iranian man and when they scored, he just burst into tears, so I gave him a cwtch. I think they just wanted it more." | "I was sat next to an old Iranian man and when they scored, he just burst into tears, so I gave him a cwtch. I think they just wanted it more." |
| Chris Hancock, 55, from Port Talbot agreed it had been an incredible experience just being at the World Cup, adding: "Who knows, we could beat England." | Chris Hancock, 55, from Port Talbot agreed it had been an incredible experience just being at the World Cup, adding: "Who knows, we could beat England." |
| Despite the result, Colin Barker said he had had "the best week of my life". | Despite the result, Colin Barker said he had had "the best week of my life". |
| The 47-year-old from Caernarfon, Gwynedd added: "I've had a fantastic time, I'm at the World Cup so will take the defeat on the chin. I can't complain, all the Welsh fans have had a great time out in Qatar, we are in the sun, and will have amazing memories." | The 47-year-old from Caernarfon, Gwynedd added: "I've had a fantastic time, I'm at the World Cup so will take the defeat on the chin. I can't complain, all the Welsh fans have had a great time out in Qatar, we are in the sun, and will have amazing memories." |
| Related Topics | |
| Wrexham | |
| Caernarfon | |
| Caldicot | |
| Cardiff | |
| St Asaph | |
| Llantwit Fardre | |
| Port Talbot | |
| Qatar |