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World Cup: Wales fans hope for miracle win to progress World Cup: Wales fans gather as they hope for a miracle
(about 7 hours later)
Martyn Kay (right) is enjoying Qatar with friend Matt Womersley and hopes it continues until his birthday Sue and Martyn Moses enjoying the pre-match build up for Wales' final World Cup group game
Wales fans are hoping for a miracle as their team face England later on Tuesday in what may be their final Qatar World Cup match. Wales fans have begun to gather on the front in Doha and in a fan party at a city hotel, ahead of the Qatar World Cup group decider against England.
One of the thousands who have travelled is Martyn Kay, who turns 40 on Sunday. Wales must beat England and hope Iran v USA is a draw to go to the next round. If the other game isn't a draw, Wales need to beat England by four or more.
He planned to spend his big day watching Wales in the last 16, but his dream, shared by the nation, now hangs by a thread. "We all know what we want," said Sue Moses, 57, from Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf. "A win would be nice.
Wales must win against England and hope Iran v USA is a draw for them to go to the next round. "It won't be 4-0 but we got here, that's the main thing."
If the other game isn't a draw, Wales will need more than a miracle and must beat England by four goals or more. Her husband Martyn, 57, added: "Form is not on our side and it would be a big ask to beat England even if they play poorly."
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After disappointing performances by Wales up to this point, Martyn said: "With Wales, I'm just hoping that maybe we can pull off a miracle. However, Lee Hosking believes this game was always going to be "the main focus" regardless of other results.
"Hopefully, we can start turning it on and make the knockout stages. The 55-year-old from Swansea said: "We're not going to win the World Cup. But let's have a good result against England and we can have an open top bus then."
Lee Hosking's main focus before the World Cup was on the England game
Bethan Richards, 50, said after two poor performances, the side will have motivation to do well.
"They didn't play well against the USA and this is our last big chance," she said.
"If they don't play well tonight, they don't deserve to be in the team. And I think they will as this is their last big chance."
Helen Furlong, 38, from Gaerwen, Anglesey, said she "just hopes they turn up tonight".
Gerwyn Jones, 36, added: "I'm always hopeful. My heart is telling me yes but my head is telling me no. But stranger things have happened."
"We just have to start believing," said Gerwyn Jones
Martyn Kay, turns 40 on Sunday and planned to spend his big day watching Wales in the last 16.
But his dream, shared by the nation, now hangs by a thread.
He said: "With Wales, I'm just hoping that maybe we can pull off a miracle. Hopefully, we can start turning it on and make the knockout stages.
"I'm quietly optimistic now. We always do it the hard way, when our backs are against the wall.""I'm quietly optimistic now. We always do it the hard way, when our backs are against the wall."
But whatever the outcome, many have been enjoying Wales' first appearance in a World Cup for 64 years and even if the journey ends, it has been one of the best experiences of many fans' lives.But whatever the outcome, many have been enjoying Wales' first appearance in a World Cup for 64 years and even if the journey ends, it has been one of the best experiences of many fans' lives.
The World Cup has brought Wales fans together with cultures from around the worldThe World Cup has brought Wales fans together with cultures from around the world
Martyn has flown in from his new home in Hong Kong. Also there is his friend Matt Womersley, 35, originally from Bangor, Gwynedd, who now lives in Taiwan. Martyn has flown in from his new home in Hong Kong.
Also there is his friend Matt Womersley, 35, originally from Bangor, Gwynedd, who now lives in Taiwan.
The pair hadn't seen each other for eight years and haven't given up hope of celebrating Martyn's 40th with Wales in the last 16.The pair hadn't seen each other for eight years and haven't given up hope of celebrating Martyn's 40th with Wales in the last 16.
Martyn Kay (right) is enjoying Qatar with friend Matt Womersley and hopes it continues until his birthday
Matt said: "Something has got to happen. We won't go out with the rubbish performances we have seen so far.Matt said: "Something has got to happen. We won't go out with the rubbish performances we have seen so far.
"We've got to go for it. We haven't really given it a go yet.""We've got to go for it. We haven't really given it a go yet."
Their optimism is in contrast to most Wales fans around Doha.Their optimism is in contrast to most Wales fans around Doha.
Becky, pictured here with her dad Eric, says progress at the tournament is "unlikely"
Becky Green, 48, from Llantwit Fardre, Rhondda Cynon Taf, described herself as "deflated" after the Iran defeat.Becky Green, 48, from Llantwit Fardre, Rhondda Cynon Taf, described herself as "deflated" after the Iran defeat.
But she added: "We'll bounce back, we are at a World Cup."But she added: "We'll bounce back, we are at a World Cup."
Becky, pictured here with her dad Eric, says progress at the tournament is "unlikely"
However, she said progress in the tournament was "very unlikely".However, she said progress in the tournament was "very unlikely".
Jeff Lee, 64, from Pontypool, Torfaen, said: "We are part of the World Cup experience. We haven't been since 1958, so we have got to be happy.Jeff Lee, 64, from Pontypool, Torfaen, said: "We are part of the World Cup experience. We haven't been since 1958, so we have got to be happy.
"But there is still a combination available to get through - we have just got to hope that it is possible.""But there is still a combination available to get through - we have just got to hope that it is possible."
Murals have been created depicting unity and togetherness in the Welsh, English and Qatari languagesMurals have been created depicting unity and togetherness in the Welsh, English and Qatari languages
If the team exit the tournament, the fans and the nation have left their mark on the country.If the team exit the tournament, the fans and the nation have left their mark on the country.
At Katara cultural village, on the outskirts of Doha, the national flowers of Wales and Qatar - the daffodil and qatif - are entwined on a mural.At Katara cultural village, on the outskirts of Doha, the national flowers of Wales and Qatar - the daffodil and qatif - are entwined on a mural.
The words "I am somebody - Rwy'n rhywun" are painted next to it, indicators that Wales is not only "still here", as Dafydd Iwan sang, but is represented and relevant on the global stage.The words "I am somebody - Rwy'n rhywun" are painted next to it, indicators that Wales is not only "still here", as Dafydd Iwan sang, but is represented and relevant on the global stage.
Muna painted this daffodil mural - a lasting reminder of Wales' playing in the World CupMuna painted this daffodil mural - a lasting reminder of Wales' playing in the World Cup
"Art is a universal, spoken language, connecting cultures together," said Qatari artist Muna Albader."Art is a universal, spoken language, connecting cultures together," said Qatari artist Muna Albader.
"This (mural) will be a memory left behind from the World Cup. The cultures are speaking to each other through the artwork.""This (mural) will be a memory left behind from the World Cup. The cultures are speaking to each other through the artwork."
Boats with the national flags of competing nations have been sailing around the bayBoats with the national flags of competing nations have been sailing around the bay
She has been working with creative Welsh people on the mural and hopes to visit Cardiff next year.She has been working with creative Welsh people on the mural and hopes to visit Cardiff next year.
Bryce Davies, 39, is a graffiti artist who sprayed the words, "together" and "unity" in Welsh, English and Qatari.Bryce Davies, 39, is a graffiti artist who sprayed the words, "together" and "unity" in Welsh, English and Qatari.
In many ways, he believes the result against England is almost irrelevant in terms of what the World Cup has done for his country.In many ways, he believes the result against England is almost irrelevant in terms of what the World Cup has done for his country.
"For Wales in general, being part of this huge international party celebrating different cultures has been pretty special," he said."For Wales in general, being part of this huge international party celebrating different cultures has been pretty special," he said.
"It's put Welsh football on the map. But the football is almost secondary to me as we have come out here and been proud to be Welsh.""It's put Welsh football on the map. But the football is almost secondary to me as we have come out here and been proud to be Welsh."
Wales has not only been represented by footballers - rapper Sage Todz has also been performingWales has not only been represented by footballers - rapper Sage Todz has also been performing
Singer Sage Todz has been performing and says visitors from around the world have been learning from each other, adding: "It's been good to represent who we are, showing our strengths to other countries.Singer Sage Todz has been performing and says visitors from around the world have been learning from each other, adding: "It's been good to represent who we are, showing our strengths to other countries.
"It's just good to have a chance to mix with each other.""It's just good to have a chance to mix with each other."
At the waterside, there are boats displaying the national flags of all of the competing nations.At the waterside, there are boats displaying the national flags of all of the competing nations.
Wales fans will soon find out if their team can deliver a miracle - or if their World Cup dreams sail off into the distance.Wales fans will soon find out if their team can deliver a miracle - or if their World Cup dreams sail off into the distance.