Wales Euro 2016 Loss To England Is My Lowest Moment

 

Wales manager Chris Coleman admits the last-gasp goal conceded against England was the lowest moment of his career. Gareth Bale's 35-yard free-kick at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens put the Dragons halfway towards the win they knew would secure progress to the knockout stages.

England's half-time changes swung the thrilling Group B encounter, with Jamie Vardy levelling from close range before Daniel Sturridge struck in stoppage time to seal a memorable 2-1 win. Roy Hodgson's men enjoyed the lion's share of the play but the timing of the winner left Coleman crestfallen.

Asked if it was one of the lowest moments of his career as a player or manager, the Wales boss said “Yes, yes. I'd have to say yeah, to be honest, when you come that close. You know you're going to be up against it from the start, it was a tough game. But we did everything we could to keep them at bay and even when they got the equaliser, they had possession but I think Wayne pulled off one save. They pressed and probed but we weren't stretched too badly. For the dying seconds to lose it there, I can't say I've felt that disappointed too many times in my career as I did when that goal went in.”

Coleman expects Joe Ledley to be available for Monday's match, having limped off 67 minutes into his first start since fracturing a leg just five weeks ago. He said “Joe had a bang, we think he's going to be all right. He just had a bit of a bang on his leg. It wasn't the first time in the game he'd had a bit of a whack but we think he's going to be okay.”